AMERICAN PUBLIC GAS ASSOCIATION REPEATS ITS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE THEME IN PROTEST TO FREEPORT'S APPLICATION FOR BROADER AUTHORIZATION TO EXPORT LNG TO NON-FREE TRADE AGREEMENT COUNTRIES

摘要

The American Public Gas Association (APGA), an association of publicly-owned natural gas distribution systems, has taken its campaign against the growing number of U.S.-based natural gas liquefaction project proposals to the Department of Energy (DOE) proceeding initiated by one of two applications in December of Freeport LNG Expansion, LP and FLNG Liquefaction, LLC (FE Docket No. 10-161-LNG) for long-term, multi-contract authorization to export approximately 9 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) of domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) by boat. With the new permit in hand, Freeport now aims to export LNG from the existing Freeport Terminal on Quintana Island, Texas “to any country with which the U.S. does not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) requiring the national treatment for trade in natural gas and LNG, that has or in the future develops the capacity to import LNG, and with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy.” The request is for authorization for a 25-year term commencing the earlier of the date of first export or five years from the date of issuance of the authorization requested. Freeport's DOE application is dated 12/17/10. Freeport already has FE/DOE authorization to export LNG to FTA- agreement countries (FE Docket No. 10-160-LNG).