H.R. 3592: Protect LNG Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Protect LNG Act of 2025, aims to modify the way lawsuits impact applications for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the related permitting processes. Below is a summary of the key components of the bill.

Definitions

The bill defines certain terms related to LNG exportation:

• Covered application: Refers to applications for authorization to export natural gas or to site, construct, expand, or operate a facility related to LNG.
• Covered facility: An LNG facility that requires federal authorization for its construction and operation.
• Secretary: This refers specifically to the Secretary of Energy.

Impact of Litigation on LNG Applications

The bill states that:

• If a lawsuit related to an environmental review is filed regarding a covered facility, it will not affect the validity of any permits or approvals already granted for that facility.
• Should a court find that an environmental review has violated applicable laws, the court will not void the permits. Instead, it will send the matter back to the relevant federal agency for correction, and that agency must continue processing applications for such facilities.

Judicial Review and Processing of Applications

Key provisions include:

• Federal appeals courts will have original and exclusive jurisdiction over legal challenges related to approvals for covered applications.
• Cases will be reviewed on an expedited basis, with actions scheduled as soon as possible following their filing.
• Ongoing legal actions related to covered applications at the time of the bill's enactment will be moved to the appropriate appeals court.
• There will be a strict time limit of 90 days for filing claims for judicial review after an approval is officially announced, aimed at accelerating the review process.

Judicial Review Limitations

The bill sets specific limitations on claims filed for judicial review of permits and approvals related to covered applications, reinforcing a structured timeframe for such actions.

Overall Purpose

The primary purpose of the Protect LNG Act of 2025 is to streamline the application process for LNG export facilities and to mitigate the impact of litigation on these processes, potentially promoting faster development and approval of LNG projects in the United States.

Relevant Companies

• CHK (Chesapeake Energy Corporation): This company is involved in the production and export of natural gas and may see benefits from expedited approval of LNG projects.
• NEE (NextEra Energy, Inc.): as a major player in energy infrastructure, NextEra could be impacted by new regulations in LNG exportation permitting.
• AM (Antero Midstream Corporation): This company provides midstream services for natural gas and could be directly affected by changes in LNG export regulations.
• DUK (Duke Energy Corporation): As a utility, Duke Energy's operations may be influenced by the availability and cost of LNG for electricity generation.