Trump's Energy Emergency Fast-Tracks Massive LNG Terminal Expansion

A major liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal near New Orleans is seeking a multibillion-dollar expansion under a new Donald Trump administration 'emergency' permitting process.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted Plaquemines LNG fast-tracked permitting in June 2023, cutting the public comment period from 30 days to just 10 and allowing the terminal to more than double in size.

The expansion would make the facility the largest LNG export terminal in North America, with a capacity to produce around 2.3 trillion cubic feet of gas per year, up from about 1.4 trillion currently.

Environmentalists warn that the expedited review could reduce scrutiny of dredging, in-water construction, and the filling of marshlands in a region suffering from rapid land loss.