Building Momentum for LNG Exports
Mark Green
Posted May 13, 2013
The Associated Press has this look at momentum for exporting U.S. natural gas, driven by an abundance of natural gas from shale via hydraulic fracturing. Bill Cooper, president of the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, tells AP:
“LNG exports are a huge opportunity for the United States economy, our workers and our geopolitical relationships with countries such as Japan that are seeking to import natural gas. LNG exports will create jobs, increase government revenue and benefit consumers.”
Cooper is right. Studies – like this one for the Energy Department and this one by ICF International – show how America’s wealth in natural gas from shale could support demand here and overseas, to America’s benefit in terms of job and economic growth.
Currently, the Energy Department is reviewing federal permit applications for 20 U.S. LNG export projects. One of those is for Dominion’s Cove Point (Md.) facility – an LNG import terminal that would undergo an expansion to add liquefaction capability for exporting purposes, costing between $3.4 billion and $3.8 billion. The project would create up to 4,000 jobs during construction, support more than 14,000 jobs once operational and generate an estimated $1 billion a year in additional revenue to federal, state and local governments. A photo gallery from my recent visit to Cove Point.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.