Washington Post: Energy Department seeks to change gas export permitting
The Energy Department proposed Thursday to overhaul its process for issuing permits for the export of liquefied natural gas and said it would also commission a new study of the effect additional exports might have on domestic gas prices.
The Energy Department said it would no longer issue conditional approvals for proposed LNG export terminals and would make final decisions only after companies complete the extensive — and costly — environmental reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act.
Fueled by the surge in domestic shale gas production, more than 30 companies have asked the Energy Department for permits, and about two dozen are still waiting. Though the department has not turned down any project, many oil and gas industry officials have been pressing for faster approvals.