Another milestone for American energy: Chris Wright approves Venture Global’s CP2 LNG Project!

Building on a Legacy of Innovation and Independence

Today, March 19, 2025, marks a significant step forward for American energy leadership. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright signed an export authorization for Venture Global’s CP2 LNG project in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, greenlighting a facility promising to bolster U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and reinforce our nation’s position as a global energy powerhouse. This announcement, detailed on the Department of Energy’s website, is more than just a bureaucratic nod--it’s a culmination of years of effort, innovation, and a shifting policy landscape that I’ve been tracking closely in my previous articles. Let’s dive into what this means, and how it connects to the broader narrative of Venture Global’s ambitious and forward-thinking journey.

CP2 Gets the Go-Ahead

According to the Department of Energy, Secretary Wright’s approval authorizes Venture Global to export LNG from the CP2 facility to non-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries, a critical step that had been stalled under the previous administration’s pause on new LNG permits. The CP2 project, with a nameplate capacity of 20 million tons per annum (MTPA), promises to add significant heft to America’s CLEAN, SAFE, AND RELIABLE LNG export capabilities--potentially exceeding 28 MTPA under optimal conditions. This move aligns with President Trump’s energy dominance agenda, which Wright has championed since taking office, and it signals a return to what the DOE calls “regular order” in LNG permitting.

For those of us who’ve followed Venture Global’s trajectory, this feels like a long-overdue victory. The company has been a trailblazer in the LNG space, and CP2’s approval is a testament to its persistence through regulatory hurdles and environmental pushback. But to fully appreciate today’s milestone, we need to revisit the backstory--something I’ve explored in depth on this Substack.

A Look Back at Venture Global’s Rise

Back in December 2024, I wrote about Venture Global starting production at its Plaquemines LNG facility in “Venture Global Starts Production at Plaquemines LNG: A Game-Changer Goes Live.” That piece highlighted how Plaquemines, approved under Trump’s first term in 2019, was coming online as the newest U.S. LNG export facility. I noted Venture Global’s knack for delivering projects ahead of schedule and under budget--a rarity in an industry plagued by delays. Plaquemines was a proof of concept, showing that American ingenuity could meet global energy demand while creating jobs and economic ripple effects at home.

But Plaquemines was just one piece of the puzzle. In Venture Global’s CP3 LNG Project: A Bold Step Toward Energy Dominance, published earlier, I speculated about the next frontier: the mysterious CP3 project. While details were scarce, I argued that Venture Global’s track record with Calcasieu Pass (CP1) and Plaquemines (CP2’s precursor in terms of operational strategy) suggested CP3 could be another leap toward saturating global markets with U.S. LNG. I wrote, “If CP3 follows the blueprint of its predecessors, we’re looking at a facility that could push the boundaries of scale and efficiency.” Today’s CP2 approval doesn’t directly address CP3, but it reinforces the momentum I predicted--Venture Global ain’t slowing down a bit.

Then there’s my broader take in A New Era for American Energy Independence, where I tied Venture Global’s efforts into the Trump administration’s policy shift. Written shortly after the 2025 inauguration, that article celebrated the end of the Biden-era LNG export freeze, which had bottlenecked projects like CP2. I argued, “The pause was a self-inflicted wound on American energy leadership, ceding ground to competitors like Qatar and Russia.” Secretary Wright’s action today proves that point: CP2’s approval is a direct reversal of that stall, unlocking a project that environmentalists had targeted but that promises undeniable economic and strategic benefits.

Why CP2 Matters

So, what’s the big deal with CP2? Beyond the numbers-- ~20+ MTPA of LNG capacity, thousands of jobs, billions in investment… it’s about narrative. Venture Global has built its reputation on modular, cost-effective LNG plants that defy the bloated timelines of traditional megaprojects. CP2, located along the Calcasieu Ship Channel, follows that model. It’s a sister project to CP1 (Calcasieu Pass), which I’ve praised for its rapid deployment, and it builds on Plaquemines’ success. Together, these facilities form a constellation of export hubs along the Gulf Coast, cementing Louisiana as the epicenter of America’s LNG boom.

Today’s approval also sends a message globally. With Europe still weaning itself off Russian gas and Asia hungry for cleaner alternatives to coal, U.S. LNG is a geopolitical lifeline. CP2’s exports will strengthen allies, stabilize energy markets, and… yes… reduce global emissions by displacing dirtier fuels. Critics will cry “climate crisis,” but as I’ve argued before, the real crisis is energy poverty, and American LNG is part of the solution.

Critics will cry “climate crisis,” but as I’ve argued before, the real crisis is energy poverty, and American LNG is part of the solution.

The Road Ahead

This isn’t the end of the story. CP2 still needs to navigate construction and operational phases, and Venture Global’s ambitions don’t stop here. My earlier musings about CP3 linger--could it be the next domino to fall? And how will Secretary Wright’s DOE handle the backlog of other LNG applications? For now, though, today is a win worth savoring. It’s a vindication of the vision I’ve outlined across these articles: that American energy independence isn’t just a slogan--it’s a tangible, project-by-project reality.

As I wrote in A New Era, “Energy is the backbone of prosperity, and the U.S. has the resources, the talent, and now the leadership to lead.” Chris Wright’s signature on CP2’s export authorization proves it. Venture Global is delivering, and America is back in the driver’s seat.

What do you think--will CP2 live up to the hype? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s keep this conversation going.

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