A partially built liquified natural gas (LNG) export facility on the Texas-Louisiana state line received a draft operating permit last month from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

On June 5, 2024, the TCEQ proposed a draft initial operating permit for the Golden Pass LNG Terminal in Jefferson County, Texas, east of Port Arthur. If fully built, the facility would be able to produce and export over 18 million tons of liquified natural gas every year.

Construction on the terminal’s export facilities began in 2019 under a partnership between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil. However, construction has stalled due to a dispute over payments between the project’s developers and its lead construction contractor, San Antonio-based Zachry Holdings. Golden Pass LNG has been importing natural gas to the facility since 2010 and received federal approval to export gas in 2016.

The TCEQ is accepting public comments on the draft permit until July 29, 2024. Please see the public notice for more information.