FERC’s latest moves boosts natural gas infrastructure and energy reliability
How FERC and Chris Wright are supercharging U.S. energy with new LNG projects and bold policy moves
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has been busy this month, as detailed in a March 26 letter from Chairman Mark C. Christie to the Office of Personnel Management. Covering actions from March 10 to March 21, 2025, the update showcases FERC’s ongoing commitment to ensuring reliable and cost-effective energy infrastructure across the United States. From authorizing new liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities to defending key orders in federal courts, FERC’s work aligns closely with the Trump administration’s push for energy dominance… a vision championed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Let’s dive into the highlights and explore how these developments fit into the broader energy landscape.
Biden’s LNG Study Suppression Undermined American Energy Strength
New Natural Gas Projects will Expand Capacity and Reach
FERC issued several significant orders under Sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), greenlighting infrastructure projects designed to bolster natural gas supply and affordability. Here’s a closer look at the approvals, with some added context to flesh out their importance:
1. Corpus Christi Liquefaction LLC and CCL Midscale 8-9 LLC
FERC authorized the construction and operation of two midscale liquefaction trains in Texas, capable of liquefying up to 170 billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/y) of domestically produced natural gas for export. This expansion builds on the existing Corpus Christi LNG facility, operated by Cheniere Energy, a titan in the U.S. LNG export market. The project strengthens America’s position as the world’s top LNG exporter—a title it has held since surpassing Qatar and Australia in recent years. With global demand for LNG projected to grow into the 2040s, particularly in Europe and Asia, this addition will help meet allied needs while boosting U.S. economic output.
2. Mississippi Hub, LLC
The commission granted authorization for two new high-withdrawal storage caverns and capacity increases for two existing ones, adding 33.88 Bcf of gas storage capacity in Mississippi. Mississippi Hub, a key player in the Southeast’s energy storage network, supports grid reliability by providing quick-access natural gas during peak demand or supply disruptions. This project enhances flexibility for utilities and industrial users, ensuring a steady flow of energy even as weather or market volatility tests the system.
3. Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC
FERC approved a new compressor station in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, and a delivery point in Orange County, Texas, to supply up to 150,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation service to an Entergy Texas power station. This infrastructure will support Entergy’s efforts to meet rising electricity demand in the region, driven by population growth and industrial activity along the Gulf Coast. The project underscores the critical role of natural gas in powering America’s electric grid—currently accounting for over 40% of U.S. electricity generation.
4. Colorado Gas Company, L.L.C.
In Adams County, Colorado, FERC authorized modifications at the Totem storage field, boosting the withdrawal rate by 50 million cubic feet per day and adding one billion cubic feet of base gas capacity. Operated by Xcel Energy, this field supports Colorado’s energy needs, particularly during harsh winters when heating demand spikes. The upgrade reflects a pragmatic approach to balancing renewable energy growth—Colorado gets significant power from wind and solar—with the reliability of natural gas.
These approvals didn’t stop at the drawing board. FERC also issued 22 notices to proceed with construction, including energizing substations for Corpus Christi’s Stage III Project and commissioning essential systems for the Golden Pass LNG Export Project in Texas—a joint venture between ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy. These steps bring the projects closer to operational status, reinforcing America’s LNG export capabilities.
WATCH: Chris Wright, Doug Burgum, and Jeff Landry speaks on Louisiana's LNG progress
Chris Wright’s Vision: Unleashing American Energy
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, confirmed in February 2025, has wasted no time pushing the Trump administration’s “energy dominance” agenda. A former fracking executive and CEO of Liberty Energy, Wright has made LNG a cornerstone of his strategy. Since taking office, he has overseen the reversal of the Biden-era pause on LNG export permits, a move that stalled projects like Golden Pass and Commonwealth LNG. By March 2025, Wright had signed off on four major LNG export authorizations, including the Delphi Offshore Louisiana LNG terminal, announced at CERAWeek earlier this month.
Wright’s philosophy is clear: more energy production, not less. In his first secretarial order on February 5, titled “Unleashing the Golden Era of American Energy Dominance,” he directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to prioritize abundant, affordable, and secure energy. This includes accelerating LNG export reviews under the Natural Gas Act, a process FERC complements with its infrastructure approvals. At CERAWeek, Wright emphasized that LNG exports benefit America, its allies, and even the environment by displacing dirtier fuels like coal in global markets. He’s also championing a nuclear renaissance, pushing for advancements in fission and fusion to diversify the energy mix.
Wright’s approach contrasts sharply with the previous administration’s net-zero focus, which he’s called “quasi-religious” and economically destructive. Instead, he advocates for “energy addition, not subtraction,” aiming to lower costs for American families--over 20% of whom struggle with energy bills, according to his remarks in Houston. His DOE is reviewing appliance efficiency standards to ease consumer burdens and refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to safeguard against supply shocks.
Read: Greenpeace Messed With the Bull, Got Both Horns, and Found Out
Reliability and Transparency
Beyond natural gas, FERC tackled 164 orders under the Federal Power Act, enhancing electric utility rates, grid interconnections, and corporate investments. Notable actions include approving the Southeast Energy Exchange Market to boost competition across 10 states and expanding the Southwest Power Pool’s reach into the Western Interconnection for better reliability. The commission also held a joint workshop with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation on March 20, addressing supply chain cybersecurity risks… a growing concern as power demand surges from AI data centers and electrification.
FERC’s annual State of the Markets report, released the same day, provides a snapshot of natural gas and electricity trends, informing industry and the public alike. To top it off, a new webpage on priority infrastructure projects invites public participation, offering guides for submitting comments--a nod to transparency in an often opaque, and sometimes stonewalled, regulatory process.
Courts and Challenges, and Defending the Mission
FERC’s work isn’t without pushback. The commission successfully defended key orders in federal courts, including a revised D.C. Circuit ruling in City of Port Isabel v. FERC that keeps LNG project authorizations intact during further review. In Antero Resources Corp. v. FERC, oral arguments upheld a pipeline cost assignment, ensuring fair infrastructure funding. These victories signal judicial support for FERC’s role in balancing energy development with legal scrutiny.
The Bigger Picture
FERC’s actions dovetail with Wright’s mission to re-industrialize America through energy abundance. Together, they’re building a framework where LNG, natural gas storage, and electric reliability reinforce U.S. energy security and global leadership. Critics argue this fossil fuel focus sidesteps climate concerns, but Wright counters that innovation--via nuclear, geothermal, and even solar--will address emissions without sacrificing affordability.
As spring unfolds, expect more from FERC and Wright. Their partnership promises a robust energy future… one where infrastructure keeps pace with ambition, and America’s resources power both its homes and its influence abroad. Stay tuned.
Connect with Nate - check out his personal website.