Venture Global LNG Inc. has received final approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to begin construction of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal CP2 in Louisiana, according to a document released on May 23. If completed, the project would become the largest LNG export facility in the United States with an annual capacity of 28 million tonnes.
The decision follows an environmental reassessment
The authorisation ends a period of regulatory uncertainty following a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in August 2024. That ruling annulled a similar approval for competitor NextDecade Corp.’s project in Brownsville, Texas, due to an environmental review deemed insufficient regarding air quality. As a result, FERC decided to re-examine the CP2 project’s impact on the local environment, particularly on air emissions.
The final report concluded that the project serves the public interest and complies with federal environmental requirements. According to regulators, the authorisation order eliminates any stay or delay linked to appeal processes, allowing Venture Global to immediately begin on-site construction.
A central project in the U.S. LNG expansion strategy
The CP2 unit is expected to support the United States’ position as the leading global LNG exporter. Building the facility would also strengthen Venture Global’s status among the world’s top liquefied natural gas producers. If CP2 reaches full capacity, the company would become the largest American exporter by volume.
Mike Sabel, Chief Executive Officer of Venture Global, confirmed the immediate start of construction. No timeline for commissioning or details on commercial agreements linked to the project were disclosed.
Ongoing opposition without impact on approval
The CP2 project has faced criticism from environmental groups opposing further LNG terminal developments along the Gulf Coast. However, these objections did not prevent regulatory approval. FERC’s assessment found no sufficient grounds to delay or condition the authorisation on additional requirements.
The green light granted to CP2 may serve as a precedent for evaluating future LNG projects in the region, as several other developers are also awaiting similar decisions.
