Obama Administration Slow to Change LNG Policy

A year into Obama’s first term, LNG opponents are frustrated that his appointments to the FERC are still coming into place while Bush administration policies designed to streamline project approval have not been changed.

While Jon Wellinghoff, Obama’s appointment to head the FERC, opposed both the Bradwood Landing and Jordan Cove LNG projects, the agency has still voted to approve them. That has led LNG opponents to criticize the administration for not overhauling the agency.

The administration also appointed Jane Lubchenco, a former marine biologist with Oregon State University, to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In December, another Obama nominee, John Norris, joined the FERC. A third appointee might make possible an anti-LNG voting bloc within the agency. But in an article by Pamplin Media Group, industry representatives note that the FERC was granted authority to approve and then site LNG projects in the 1992 and 2005 Energy Policy Acts, respectively.

Democratic senators from Oregon have attempted to change those rules, but have thus far not made much headway.

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