The Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project cleared its final federal regulatory hurdle this week after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) authorized the incidental take of marine mammals. 

The authorization was issued Wednesday permitting the harm or killing of porpoises, sea lions, seals and whales during a five-year period from 2021-2025 during specified construction activities on the 20 million metric tons/year facility that’s proposed for southcental Alaska at Nikiski. NOAA’s decision authorizing incidental take was the last step that allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which approved the project in May, to greenlight the start of construction. 

The Department of Energy also authorized LNG exports of up to 2.55 Bcf/d last month....