AG Brown today co-led a coalition of 9 attorneys general opposing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) efforts to allow the construction and expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants without notice and consultation with affected state and local entities.   

In a comment letter filed with FERC, the attorneys general oppose the use of a “blanket” permit to allow the construction of new and expanded LNG plants without meaningful review of the applications by FERC and consultation with state and local emergency management authorities, as is required under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). The NGA requires LNG developers to coordinate with state and local emergency management agencies before beginning construction of major LNG facilities that could jeopardize the public’s safety or strain the community’s emergency response capabilities. These provisions ensure that appropriate safety systems are in place and an emergency response plan is developed with input from state and local leaders that know their communities best before FERC can approve these applications under the NGA.