The permitting and regulatory process requires careful coordination with more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies. Throughout the planning and construction phases, thousands of permits and authorizations will be attained. Several of the approvals require extensive agency reviews, the time frames for which are incorporated into the overall permitting timeline.
Alaska LNG Regulatory Process
On May 21, 2020 FERC Commissioners issued an authorization to AGDC to construct and operate the Alaska LNG Project.
On March 6, 2020 FERC staff issue the final EIS for the Alaska LNG Project.
There are several federal, state, and local agencies that require permits and authorizations for the project, including permits for temporary water usage, gravel placement, air quality, storm water and wastewater discharge, and pipeline right-of-way. A comprehensive regulatory process has been established for Alaska LNG to ensure it is compliant with all regulatory requirements.
Local agencies along the entire route of the project, from the North Slope Borough to the Kenai Peninsula Borough also have permitting authority for various aspects of the project.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandated that FERC lead the siting analysis and approval of LNG terminals proposed in the United States. FERC served as the lead federal agency, for the Alaska LNG project, in coordinating the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and issued an order authorization for the construction and operation of the project in May 2020.
US Army Corps of Engineers
On June 24, 2020, the US Army Corps of Engineers issued a Record of Decision (ROD) and on July 10, 2020 they issued the associated permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.