"Cheniere Energy Inc. has cleared a major regulatory hurdle to building a $5 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana."

"The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday granted approval for Cheniere to build the first LNG export terminal in the lower 48 states, a project met with criticism from environmental groups concerned about pollution tied to the U.S. gas boom. It also faces concern in corners of the industrial sector that shipping gas overseas will increase domestic prices and make U.S. manufacturers less competitive.

U.S. gas producers will have the capacity to export up to 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day if Cheniere goes ahead with its Sabine Pass LNG project to be located at an existing import terminal in Cameron Parish, La."

Joel Kirkland reports for EnergyWire April 17, 2012. [2]