### DOE Continues Pause on US LNG Export Permits Despite New Authorization
A recent decision by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to authorize New Fortress Energy to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) does not signify the end of the Biden administration’s temporary pause on LNG export permits. This distinction was clarified by a DOE spokesperson when speaking to Oil & Gas Journal on September 5.
The authorization issued on September 3 allows New Fortress Energy’s Altamira floating LNG export platform, located off the coast of Mexico in the Gulf of Mexico, to re-export up to 0.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of U.S.-sourced natural gas as LNG to non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) countries for a five-year export term****. This authorization increases available exports to non-FTA countries, including allies in Europe, by approximately 3%****. However, it does not elevate the overall re-export capacity of the Altamira facility.
**Background on the Pause**
The Biden administration introduced the temporary pause on LNG export authorizations in January 2024. This pause was implemented to give the DOE time to comprehensively review and update its analyses of LNG exports, focusing on both climate and economic impacts****, [**5]**. The existing analyses, roughly five years old, were no longer deemed adequate for current market dynamics and potential risks associated with gas exports****.
**Continued Regulatory Review**
The DOE continues to review and update its assessments of LNG exports. This ongoing process is designed to ensure that future reviews are guided by the latest scientific data and a more thorough understanding of energy security and environmental concerns****. The agency has acknowledged the urgent need to bolster its review process as global markets evolve, necessitating a reconsideration ofthe macroeconomic effects of LNG exports.
**Legal and Regulatory Implications**
The pause has significant implications for pending and future