Developers of a natural gas export terminal planned in southwestern Louisiana now have four additional years to finish construction and place the project in service.
In a decision Tuesday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted a time extension request for the Commonwealth LNG project — moving the deadline to complete the facility from November 2027 to the end of 2031.
“Based on the facts presented in the request and the case record, Commonwealth is granted an extension of time,” said Olubukola Pope, a branch chief in FERC’s Office of Energy Projects.
Commonwealth asked for the extra time earlier this month, saying that despite the company’s efforts, “development of the Project has been delayed due to extenuating circumstances outside of Commonwealth’s control.” In its letter, a lawyer for Commonwealth cited the 2024 remand of FERC’s authorization order and its “unprecedented, historic delay” in securing a license from the Department of Energy to export to countries that lack a free trade agreement with the U.S.
