The White House meets with the CEO of a company seeking to build a Pennsylvania LNG terminal
The CEO of the company that wants to build a terminal for liquefied gas near Philadelphia said on Wednesday that he had met with officials at the White House in this week to provide "intelligence" about the project, which has been in the works despite local resistance.
Penn America Energy Holdings plans to export 7.2 millions tons of LNG per year from a facility near Philadelphia to European and Asian markets. Franc James said that he met with the White House Tuesday, and the company is looking at other locations than Chester, Pennsylvania.
James also met with White House staff, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The White House says it doesn't confirm private meetings.
In recent decades, the Philadelphia region, which was once a center for oil refining, has seen many plants close as the industry shifted to the Gulf Coast. Since years, local and state officials have tried to harness the natural gas abundance in western Pennsylvania. However, building new infrastructure in densely populated eastern Pennsylvania has met with opposition.
Trump has promised to boost the LNG sector and open new gas pipelines. The project's support could lead to a conflict in a battleground with Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro who is up for reelection.
James claimed that he worked with Trump in his first term, when the project "was at its fetal stage". However, the company put plans on hold after former president Joe Biden stopped approvals for LNG exports early in 2024 so as to study the economic and environmental impact of the booming industry.
"Developing a Project in the Northeast Is Quite Different Than the Gulf Coast, Louisiana, and Texas. So it Requires a Great Deal of Support, Not Only Politically in the State, But Also with Communities... In Terms of Pipeline Transmission as Well as... Along the Delaware River."
James stated that nearby sites in Trainer Marcus Hook and Eddystone were also being considered.
The U.S. has backed the project. Senator Dave McCormick is a Republican senator from Pennsylvania. Senator John Fetterman is a Democrat who has opposed the bill. This would require federal, state and even local permits.
James, an analyst, said that it is going to be a long road, particularly if you want LNG on the sea by 2030.
Alex Munton is the director of global LNG and gas research for consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group. He said that local opponents have raised significant objections to this proposal. Munton explained that the proposal requires both time and money and political support is not sufficient.
Ira Joseph agreed. He is an LNG expert and senior researcher from Columbia University. When you compare the chances of this project to other LNG projects, it is not very high in the probability list. Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by David Gregorio
(source: Reuters)
