FERC updates on Downeast LNG review process

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued an update on the environmental review of the planned Downeast LNG import-export project.

Downeast Liquefaction plans to develop, construct, and operate LNG terminal facilities that would convert the previously proposed Downeast LNG import project, located in Washington County, Maine, into a bidirectional import-export LNG terminal and pipeline. The project would be capable of producing 3 million metric tons per annum of LNG and 100 million standard cubic feet per day of regasified LNG.

According to Downeast Liquefaction, the export facilities are planned due to the increased domestic natural gas production, specifically drilling productivity gains that have enabled rapid growth in supplies from unconventional, and particularly shale, gas-bearing formations in the United States. Downeast Liquefaction plans to begin construction in April of 2016.

FERC informed in a filing that it has started the review of the project on August 11, 2014, when it approved Downeast Liquefaction’s request to use the FERC pre-filing process. The environmental issue identification process is being conducted during this phase of our review. The pre-filing process will end when Downeast Liquefaction formally files its application with the FERC.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the FERC is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the planned project.

Currently, six other federal agencies and one state agency are cooperating in the preparation of the EIS: the U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Department of Transportation; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Department of Energy; and Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Presently, Downeast Liquefaction is preparing draft resource reports to support its project design. Once Downeast files its project application, FERC will conduct the environmental analysis of the planned project.

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LNG World News Staff; Image: Downeast LNG