FERC staff said Tuesday it plans to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Pointe LNG Project, which would be developed in Plaquemines Parish, LA, to liquefy domestic natural gas for export to foreign markets.

Pointe LNG LLC and Pointe Pipeline Co. LLC plan to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on 600 acres on the east bank of the Mississippi River near Mile 46 in Plaquemines Parish [PF18-8].

It would consists of three liquefaction trains, each with a capacity of 2.0 million metric tons/year. The project would also include two gas supply pipeline laterals for a total of 6.6 miles of 36-inch diameter supply pipeline.

The property leased for the project encompasses the site of the previously proposed Louisiana LNG project, and the founders of Pointe LNG also founded that now defunct project [PF14-17].

Louisiana LNG Energy LLC (LLNG) had planned to build a terminal on the property down river from the Port of New Orleans, but in late 2016 FERC terminated the project’s pre-filing review process “due to LLNG’s inaction.”

The U.S. Department of Energy subsequently rescinded LLNG’s authorization to export LNG because the company failed to comply with DOE’s semi-annual reporting requirements, and because the Houston-based company failed to notify DOE that FERC had terminated the pre-filing review process. The order vacated DOE’s August 2014 authorization for LLNG to export up to 103.4 Bcf/year over 25 years to free trade agreement countries.

Pointe LNG asked FERC last September to initiate a pre-filing process for the new project. Assuming approval by July 2021, construction would begin in early 2022, with the project potentially in service in 2Q2025.

FERC is accepting public comments on the scope of issues to address in the EIS through March 7. In addition, a public scoping session is scheduled Feb. 19 in Davant, LA.