EPA Nixes Cheniere Energy Plea For LNG Pollution Waiver

The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday (Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Manila) denied a request by Cheniere Energy, a leading US producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), to exempt two Gulf Coast plants from a federal air pollution rule, Matthew Daly reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Cheniere is the largest LNG exporter in the US.

An EPA spokesman says the agency on Tuesday denied Cheniere’s request to waive a rule that limits emissions of cancer-causing formaldehyde released by gas-fired turbines. Dozens of turbine operators faced a Monday deadline to comply with the formaldehyde rule, which is being reinstated after an 18-year stay.

“Controlling emissions of formaldehyde is important to protect public health. Though EPA is denying Cheniere’s request for a special subcategory to comply with the turbines rule, the agency will continue to work with them and with other companies as needed to assure they meet Clean Air Act obligations,″ EPA spokesman Tim Carroll said in an e-mail Tuesday.

Cheniere, the largest LNG exporter in the US, had warned that new requirements on LNG plants in Texas and Louisiana could disrupt gas supplies to Europe, which has struggled with surging energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement Tuesday, Cheniere said it strongly disagrees with EPA’s decision but will work with state and federal regulators to “develop solutions that ensure compliance″ with the hazardous-pollution rule.

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