The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has formally noticed an application from Plaquemines Expansion, LLC and Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC for authorization to build and operate the Plaquemines Expansion Project, a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Filed on November 17, 2025, under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), the project seeks to expand U.S. LNG export capabilities by adding facilities capable of producing up to 31 million tons per annum (MTPA) at peak, with an average annual output of 27.5 MTPA. Estimated to cost $18 billion, the terminal will be located adjacent to an existing LNG facility under construction by Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC. This development underscores the ongoing growth in U.S. energy exports amid global demand for natural gas, while triggering a structured regulatory review process that includes environmental assessments and public participation. The notice, published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2025, marks a key step in evaluating the project's alignment with federal energy policy and environmental standards.
Project Background and Key Players
The Plaquemines Expansion Project builds on the existing infrastructure of Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC, which is already developing an LNG export terminal along the west bank of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish. Venture Global LNG, Inc., the parent company, is a prominent player in the U.S. LNG sector, with multiple projects aimed at capitalizing on abundant domestic natural gas supplies from shale production. The applicants, Plaquemines Expansion, LLC and Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC, share an address in Houston, Texas, and are affiliated with Venture Global's broader operations.
This application follows a pre-filing process initiated on April 4, 2025, under Docket No. PF25-7-000, which allowed early stakeholder engagement and environmental planning under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The shift to the formal application docket, CP26-27-000, signals the end of pre-filing and the start of comprehensive review. Section 3 of the NGA governs authorizations for LNG import and export facilities, requiring FERC to approve projects unless they are inconsistent with the public interest. Precedents such as the FERC authorization for the original Plaquemines LNG terminal in 2019 highlight a pattern of approvals for Gulf Coast LNG projects, driven by economic benefits and energy security goals.
Political forces influencing such developments include federal policies promoting U.S. energy independence, as seen in prior administrations' support for LNG exports to allies. For instance, the Department of Energy's approvals for non-free trade agreement exports have facilitated similar ventures, though environmental groups often challenge them on climate grounds.
Project Details and Scope
The proposed facilities include an LNG export terminal and associated infrastructure designed to process and export natural gas. At peak capacity, the project will produce approximately 31 MTPA of LNG, with an average of 27.5 MTPA, positioning it among the larger U.S. export operations. The $18 billion cost estimate covers construction, which will occur adjacent to the under-construction Plaquemines LNG terminal, leveraging shared resources and minimizing new land use.
According to the application, the project aims to meet growing international demand for U.S.-sourced LNG, particularly in Europe and Asia, where natural gas serves as a bridge fuel in energy transitions. Fory Musser, Senior Vice President of Development at Venture Global LNG, Inc., is listed as the contact for inquiries, emphasizing the company's focus on efficient, low-emission LNG production. The notice details that the full application is available on FERC's eLibrary for public review, providing transparency into technical specifications and economic projections.
Regulatory Process and Environmental Review
FERC's review process under the NGA and its regulations (Part 153) involves assessing the project's public interest, including economic, security, and environmental factors. Within 90 days of the notice—by approximately March 2, 2026—Commission staff will either complete an environmental review or issue a schedule for it. This could result in an environmental assessment (EA) or a more detailed final environmental impact statement (FEIS), notifying federal and state agencies of timelines for authorizations.
A key requirement is water quality certification under section 401 of the Clean Water Act from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). The applicants must submit evidence of this certification or waiver to FERC. This step addresses potential impacts on local waterways, given the site's proximity to the Mississippi River. Historical FERC reviews of LNG projects, such as the 2022 approval for the CP2 LNG terminal, have incorporated NEPA analyses that weigh greenhouse gas emissions against economic benefits, often leading to conditional approvals with mitigation measures.
Different perspectives emerge here: industry advocates view these projects as vital for job creation and export revenues, while environmental organizations argue they exacerbate climate change by locking in fossil fuel dependency. FERC's balancing act reflects broader debates in energy policy, without clear endorsement of either side.
Public Participation and Intervention
The notice outlines avenues for public involvement, including filing comments, protests, or motions to intervene by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 17, 2025. Interventions grant party status, allowing requests for rehearing and potential appeals in U.S. Circuit Courts. Protests must comply with FERC regulations under sections 157.10(a)(4) and 385.211, and can be submitted electronically via eFiling or by mail.
This process ensures diverse voices, from local residents concerned about community impacts to national groups focused on energy policy. The Commission's Office of Public Participation assists with filings, promoting accessibility. As noted in the Federal Register, comments will inform FERC's decision-making, though only intervenors gain formal procedural rights.
Potential Implications
Short-term implications include economic boosts from construction jobs and infrastructure investment in Plaquemines Parish, a region with a history of energy development. Long-term, the project could enhance U.S. LNG market share, influencing global energy prices and geopolitics. However, it raises environmental concerns, such as habitat disruption and emissions, potentially inviting litigation from groups citing cases like Sierra Club v. FERC (2017), which emphasized thorough climate impact reviews.
Perspectives vary: supporters highlight energy security and revenue, while critics point to risks of stranded assets in a decarbonizing world. The project's scale underscores tensions between economic growth and sustainability in federal energy regulation.
