The Trump administration is poised to give Venture Global LNG Inc. conditional approval to export natural gas from a planned facility in Louisiana that has undergone significant delays under the Biden administration. According to a source familiar with the matter who requested anonymity, the Energy Department is expected to authorize widespread exports from the company’s CP2 project as soon as Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Once operational, the facility located in Cameron Parish is designed to export up to 3.96 billion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per day. The scale of the venture is mammoth, potentially producing 20 million tons of LNG annually, with an estimated construction cost of $28 billion. This project stands out as one of the largest LNG plants proposed in the United States.
The conditional authorization would expedite exports to countries lacking free-trade agreements with the U.S. This move comes as part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to enhance U.S. gas exports. As noted by various sources, the approval is based on a determination that these exports would bring economic advantages for the United States while also diversifying global natural gas supplies and bolstering energy security for allied nations.
The initiative reflects a significant policy reversal since the Biden administration paused the issuance of new LNG export permits in January 2024, effectively stalling CP2 and similar projects. Prior to Biden's moratorium, the government had released a study in December 2024 indicating that increased LNG exports might raise natural gas prices for American consumers and contribute to higher global emissions.
Former President Donald Trump has made it a priority to rescind Biden’s restrictions on LNG exports. On the first day of his presidency, Trump canceled the moratorium, setting the stage for a renewed push towards natural gas exports.
In support of their project, Venture Global has claimed that CP2 will enable the export of sufficient natural gas to replace the output of 33 coal-fired power plants, which would prevent approximately 140 million tons of greenhouse gases from being released annually. However, environmental groups have responded critically, arguing that the facility would hinder the transition toward emission-free energy sources by enabling continued reliance on fossil fuels.
There exists a palpable tension between the economic potential of LNG exports and environmental concerns. Climate activists have voiced their opposition, stating that the operation of such a large facility would be equivalent to putting an additional 1.8 million gasoline-fueled cars on the road in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite the push from climate activists, the Trump administration remains steadfast in its belief that the benefits of the LNG project will prevail. Customers looking to secure future LNG supplies from CP2 include major companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., Inpex Corp., and SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH.
This development marks a crucial moment in U.S. energy policy, reflecting the ongoing struggle between economic interests and ecological responsibility. The administration’s commitment to expanding natural gas exports aligns with a broader strategy aimed at solidifying America’s role in global energy markets, emphasizing economic growth, and reducing dependency on foreign energy supplies.
As the administration works rapidly to finalize the authorization, stakeholders across the energy sector will be watching closely, eager to see how this significant policy shift will influence the future landscape of energy competition and environmental stewardship in the United States.
In summary, the impending approval for Venture Global's CP2 project underscores a pivotal moment in the U.S. energy narrative, hearkening back to complexities surrounding energy independence and climate change mitigation efforts, advocating for a finely balanced approach to meet the country's energy needs while respecting the urgent calls for environmental action.
