Last Friday, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave Venture Global permission to proceed with the construction of its CP2 LNG plant in Louisiana.
Once built, CP2 will be the US’ largest LNG export facility. It could also make Venture Global the largest US LNG company, overtaking Cheniere, it was claimed.
This decision followed a final environmental study that revealed the 28 mill tonnes per annum plant was in the public interest.
Venture Global had earlier obtained approval to build the plant, but after a US court ruling, FERC conducted another environmental review of air quality impact.
The study concluded that the project should be allowed to continue.
"Neither the presumptive stay ...nor the Commission’s regulations barring construction for a limited period pending rehearing will apply upon issuance of this order," FERC said.
Given the latest approval, the company will immediately start onsite construction, Venture Global's CEO, Mike Sabel said.
The additional review followed an August, 2024 decision from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that quashed FERC’s approval of rival LNG exporter NextDecade's plant at Brownsville, Texas.
In light of the court ruling, FERC decided to review the CP2 project's impact on air quality.
