U.S. House Proposal Would Require Additional Security Review for LNG Terminals
Platts LNG Daily reports that Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) has proposed an amendment to the Coast Guard authorization bill (H.R. 2830) that would prevent the approval of any LNG import facility until the Secretary for Homeland Security first certifies that the Coast Guard unit responsible for the new terminal has all the equipment and personnel needed to protect arriving LNG carriers and the LNG facility itself. Cummings says that the amendment is inspired by testimony from Coast Guard officials that suggested that some units lack the equipment necessary to protect LNG terminals and tankers. Bill Cooper, president of the Center for LNG, voiced concern that the provision may be unworkable within the current approval timetable because “there’s no guarantee that the necessary resources would survive the annual Coast Guard appropriations process.” [Subscription required]