The FERC has authorized Dominion’s Cove Point LNG terminal to export up to 5.75 million metric tons of LNG per year from its existing import terminal at Calvert County, Maryland.

On September 29, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP to construct and operate facilities for liquefaction and export of domestically-produced natural gas at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Calvert County, Maryland.  FERC also authorized installation of additional compression facilities at Dominion’s Pleasant Valley Compressor Station and upgrades of related metering and regulating sites in Virginia.  Dominion has received authorization from the Department of Energy to export natural gas to both Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and non-(FTA) countries.

The FERC authorization will allow Dominion to transport up to 860,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas from existing pipeline interconnects of the Cove Point pipeline to the Cove Point terminal and export up to 5.75 million metric tons of LNG per year.  Dominion expects to begin services at the liquefaction facilities in June 2017 and the related Virginia facilities in March 2017.

FERC conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) of Dominion’s proposed facilities and considered more than 650 comments and concerns raised during three public meetings in response to the EA.  The authorization requires Dominion to adhere to the 79 conditions recommended in the EA to mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.

The Cove Point Liquefaction Project is the fourth LNG export project to receive FERC approval.  The other three approved terminals are Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project, Freeport LNG Project, and Cameron LNG Project.

Originally published by EnerKnol.

Founded in 2011, EnerKnol provides U.S. energy policy research and data services to support investment decisions across all sectors of the energy industry. Headquartered in New York City, EnerKnol is proud to be a NYC ACRE company.