Industries LNG
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A Guide to LNG - What All Citizens Should Know
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Draft Seismic Design Guidelines (AD07-5) | |
FERC's LNG program ensures the safe operation and reliability of proposed and operating LNG terminals in the United States. Public safety is among FERC's highest priorities when it comes to regulating LNG terminals.
FERC uses a comprehensive process that includes working very closely with the US Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, the States and local governments. This process ensures that approved LNG terminals and associated LNG vessel traffic meet safety and environmental requirements during construction and operation. FERC can also impose safety requirements to ensure or enhance operational reliability of the LNG terminals.
How many projects might be built?
There are about 40 LNG terminals that are either before FERC or being discussed by the LNG industry for North America. Eight terminals (7 import and 1 export) are already operating on the East Coast, Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico and Alaska (export).
Currently, there are 16 facilities under FERC jurisdiction in the continental US. Twelve of the facilities are land-based, peak-shaving plants that liquefy and store LNG during the summer (low demand) months for sendout during winter (high demand) months. The remainder are baseload LNG import terminals, which are the focus of this LNG section.
Any LNG terminal project that is approved must also obtain Coastal Zone Management Act, Section 404 water quality certificate, and Section 404 dredging permits.
The market ultimately determines whether an approved LNG terminal is ever built. Even if an LNG terminal project receives all of the federal and state approvals, it still must meet complicated global issues surrounding financing, gas supply and market conditions. Many industry analysts predict that only 12 of the 40 LNG terminals being considered will ever be built.