Federal authorities have given final authorization to Commonwealth LNG in Southwest Louisiana, while the developer of Delta LNG southeast of New Orleans withdrew its application.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on June 18 issued its final order authorizing Commonwealth LNG in Cameron Parish, which would be capable of exporting up to 9.5 million metric tons of liquified natural gas (LNG) each year.

FERC had originally authorized the terminal in 2022 but was forced to do additional analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and other air emissions after legal challenges from environmental groups.

Also, on June 10, Venture Global withdrew its application for its Delta LNG terminal and Delta Express pipeline from FERC review. The terminal, planned in Plaquemines Parish, would have been capable of exporting up to 24 million metric tons of LNG per year.

In its withdrawal letter, Venture Global said the project “at this particular time would not be the best use of its corporate resources or the resources of [FERC] staff.” Instead, the company plans to focus on an expansion of its Plaquemines LNG terminal located less than a mile from the proposed Delta LNG site.