Energy Department approves first-ever liquid natural gas exports from Louisiana

[phantom power]

NEW ORLEANS — The Energy Department has cleared the way for a terminal in southwestern Louisiana to export a portion of the U.S.’s burgeoning supply of natural gas.

The terminal was originally built to import natural gas during shortages, before supplies skyrocketed because of vast discoveries in shale rock formations.

The Energy Department said this marks the first time an exporter has been allowed to send natural gas from the lower 48 states as LNG to all U.S. trading partners.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy-department-approves-first-ever-liquid-natural-gas-exports-from-louisiana/2011/05/20/AFUrlx7G_story.html