**The DOE’s Continued Fundamental Pause on US LNG Export Permits Remains Undeterred by New Fortress Authorization**
In recent developments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permit since the Biden administration announced its pause on such approvals in January 2024. This significant milestone comes from New Fortress Energy, which has been authorized to re-export up to 0.4 Bcf/d of U.S.-sourced natural gas as LNG to non-free trade agreement (non-FTA) countries for a five-year term.
### Key Takeaways
– **New Authorization**: New Fortress Energy’s Altamira floating LNG export platform has been authorized to re-export U.S.-sourced natural gas to non-FTA countries, including our allies in Europe. This authorization increases available exports by approximately 3%, with a specific focus on enhancing energy security during the upcoming winter.
– **Limited Impact**: Despite this new authorization, the DOE continues to maintain its pause on LNG export permits. This decision reflects the agency’s ongoing efforts to update its analyses to better consider the climate and economic impacts of LNG exports. The pause affects future export development projects but does not impact existing terminals or projects already in operation or undergoing construction.
– **Regulatory Limbo**: Many U.S. export projects remain in regulatory limbo due to the pause, which has slowed contracting tied to U.S. LNG supply despite recent deal announcements. The pause was implemented to ensure that any future approvals align with the latest scientific understanding and policy changes impacting global energy markets.
– **Legal Challenges**: Industry groups and attorneys general from 16 Republican states have challenged the pause, with a federal court judge in Louisiana initially halting the permitting freeze. However, subsequent appeals and ongoing legal battles suggest that the real-world impacts of these decisions remain unclear.
### Future Outlook
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