-Excelerate Energy on Monday filed a permit with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate what would be the first floating LNG export facility in the U.S. Company officials are hoping to start operation in late 2018. The floating LNG will be located about 120 miles southwest of Houston in Lavaca Bay.
-A Fox News piece examines how the LNG export buildup could have the same economic impact on the Gulf Coast as Bakken shale production has had in North Dakota. The LNG industry will need lots of manpower to fulfill its collective plans, but experts say the workforce training resources are there.
-Via Platts, the Supreme Court is not likely to curb the Obama Administration’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources. There is, however, some question as to whether or not the EPA will be allowed to continue its GHG permitting under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program. Justice Anthony Kennedy on Monday told a lawyer representing the EPA there was no apparent precedent to support the permitting program.
-Japan is sticking with nuclear power despite a March 2011 earthquake-triggered accident at its Fukushima Daiichi plant. Some experts believe a revival of nuclear power in Japan could lower the price of natural gas in the Asian market, potentially reducing the long-term profitability of LNG exports from the U.S.
-A fire broke out at Motiva’s refinery in Convent, La., Monday afternoon. The Baton Rouge, La., Advocate reports that workers were able to extinguish the processing unit fire after 45 minutes. No injuries were reported. The Convent refinery is currently undergoing a turnaround, but a company spokesman said the fire was not related to turnaround activity.