Proposed LNG Export Terminals Divide Industry Consumers

February 4, 2013

The Energy Department is weighing permits for six proposed terminals for exporting liquefied natural gas from the Texas Gulf Coast. That's drawing a mixed response from industry.

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Dow Chemical is investing more than $4 billion in new construction in the U.S. — much of it at the company’s Freeport facility, 60 miles from Houston.

George Biltz is a corporate vice president at Dow. He says the company is concerned turning America into a major LNG exporter will drive up the price of gas The company is part of a coalition called America’s Energy Advantage, which is lobbying against permits for new export terminals.

"It was only a period of 2000 to 2008 where we saw very high and volatile prices, and unfortunately those high and volatile prices cost consumers quite a bit of money and cost the American economy 6 million jobs in industry manufacturing. And that was just not a movie any of us want to see again."

On the other side, the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas argues LNG exports will create far more jobs than they cost. The center’s membership includes not only gas producers and shippers, but also major industry consumers, including GE and Caterpillar.

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