Murkowski urges Dominion LNG approval

Lisa Murkowski, the senior U.S. Senator from Alaska and the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee yesterday urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to prioritise Dominion Energy’s pending application for a license to export LNG from its Cove Point facility in Maryland.

In a letter to FERC Chair Cheryl LaFleur, Murkowski wrote: "I have strongly supported approving greater volumes of natural gas exports to send a powerful signal to the world that the US is ready to lead on energy issues. At a time of heightened risk in the international system, I firmly believe opening up our markets to friends and allies is in the public interest. A prompt decision would be in the national interest."

Dominion is seeking to convert the Maryland plant into an LNG export facility. The Department of Energy (DOE) issued the project a conditional license in 2013 and last month the FERC published an environmental assessment that found the project would not have a significant effect on the environment. A 30-day public comment period on the environmental assessment underway, conducted by the FERC. This closes on 16 June.

If FERC gives Dominion a green light, then Cove Point would await a final license from DOE. In the US, only Cheniere's Sabine Pass export project has received both DOE and FERC authorisation.

Adapted from press release by Ted Monroe

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/05062014/murkowski_files_letter_to_ferc_urging_dominion_lng_export_approval/