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American Press
10 hours ago
- Science
- American Press
Local educators present cutting-edge energy-themed research projects
Michael Romine teaches gifted students in grades second through eighth, and algebra and pre-calculus dual enrollment college courses for Jefferson Davis parish schools. (Special to the American Press) The energy at Sowela Technical Community College Oakdale campus on Friday morning was energized as 40 teachers prepared to show off their energy-themed research projects. Over the past week, teachers from Allen Parish and the surrounding school districts participated in the STEM Energy Professional Development Program, a collaboration between the Sowela, Allen Parish School Board, Exxon Mobil, Rice University's Tapia Center and Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL). The participating teachers are from all disciplines, from high school technology educators to elementary English teachers. They spent their week developing a project on one of four energy-related topics: wind power, solar power, carbon capture sequestration and heat transfer. Led by facilitators from the Tapia Center, the teachers participated in hands-on activities relating to the themes before splitting off into groups to choose one topic to center their project around, all while getting paid. The end result is not only a complete project, but a fully-developed and adaptable curriculum, complete with lesson plans for four lessons, rubrics and every necessary documentation to implement the project in any classroom. Heather Cross is an educator at Fairview High School who teaches gifted courses and middle school English language arts. Like her peers, she was encouraged to sign up for the professional development course by her administrators. She wasn't fully aware of the scope of work she would need to complete at the STEM Energy Professional Development Program Showcase, which she called an 'amazing' experience. Her group developed a project about carbon capture sequestration, with a focus on scientific research. The curriculum will encourage students to research carbon sequestration and form their own scenic-backed opinions. The project culminates into a hands-on model that lets students simulate the process of carbon sequestration. The work done by the teachers is a step to make STEM more accessible and intersectional for students. She said the reality is that STEM education does not have to be expensive or exclusive. Since her group's project is research-based, she will be able to incorporate the lessons into her ELA class by focusing the lessons on research, fact-validation and claim-building. 'You don't have to have the fanciest equipment or spend the most money,' she said. 'With a little bit of innovation and creativity, you can make STEM happen within your classroom.' Mike Butler, public and government affairs manager, ExxonMobil, said STEM is at the core of ExxonMobil's community outreach, and the work of the teachers is 'truly inspirational.' The projects they completed lets students know they, too, can succeed in an industrial STEM field, he said. 'We believe that exposing students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics is a way to inspire these young minds, and that anyone can have a career, a meaningful future.' The program was funded by a $100,000 grant from FUEL, a new state coalition which resulted from a large-scale grant from the National Science Foundation. The goal of FUEL is to compete for and secure $160 million in energy innovation investment in Louisiana over the next 10 years, which is key to the state's future prosperity, said Lacy McManus, director of workforce development, FUEL. Over six months, FUEL has worked to determine which 'levers' need to be pulled to accomplish that goal, and educating the workforce is a priority. 'When it comes to workforce development, every single one of you (teachers) is one of those levers,' she said. 'Our teachers and your understanding of what is happening overall in Louisiana in the energy space, the ability to communicate that back to your students, to your administrators, that is absolutely vital.' Sowela is an institution known for simultaneously developing a trained workforce and employment pipelines for several employment sectors — including industry, one of Louisiana's main economic drivers. But Sowela does more than just provide technical education, said Sowela Chancellor Niel Aispenwall. The college is on a mission to create a culture of continuous learning. 'We also encourage our students not to end with us, continue their education and get as much knowledge as they can.' Michael Romine, who is always seeking opportunities to learn more about incorporating STEM into the classroom, said this program was right up his alley. He teaches gifted students in grades second through eighth, and algebra and pre-calculus dual enrollment college courses for Jefferson Davis parish schools. Over the week, he was able to learn about problem-based learning, where students identify a problem and conceive a solution. 'I've been reading about problem-based learning my whole career, but I never really understood it until this week,' he said. 'They did a fantastic job of developing the programming channels. … I'm already starting to think of other things I can do in the future.' Both Cross and Romane agreed that the STEM Energy Professional Development Program was a unique professional development opportunity. 'Typically professional development presents you with a skill,' Cross said. 'However, with this professional development … it's ready to go. If I want to teach this the first day of school, I can teach this the first day of school.' The ready-to-go curriculum is just one of the benefits, Romane added. The teachers had an opportunity to bond with their peers, network and grow as professionals in an exciting and collaborative space. 'We've got a diverse group of teachers in there. We've got a teacher who taught English now doing science. We've got new teachers. We've got new teachers,' he said. 'It they do something like this again, I'd love to do it again.'
American Press
11 hours ago
- General
- American Press
Foreign exchange student reflects on year in the US
This year's DeRidder Rotary Club scholarship recipients are Helena Thompson, Grace Lovitt, Gabriel McKee, Victor Storer, Hunter Gill, Mikayla Bonds and Collin Nortman. Five of the recipients are pictured with Club President Erin Chesnutt. (Special to the American Press) The Rotary Club of DeRidder has given out more than $500,000 in scholarships for over 60 years — and they awarded $20,000 more this month. Scholarships were presented to seven students who were required to write an essay, achieve an ACT composite score of 19 or higher, maintain a 3.0 grade-point average and create a short video introducing themselves and stating where they plan to attend school in the fall. Club President Erin Chesnutt said this is the second year the program has been offered to students attending traditional colleges and universities and those entering vocational or trade schools. This year's recipients are Helena Thompson, Grace Lovitt and Gabriel McKee of Rosepine High School; Victor Storer of Merryville High School; Hunter Gill and Mikayla Bonds of DeRidder High School; and Collin Nortman of East Beauregard High School. The guest speaker for this month's Rotary Club meeting was Dou Sugisawa, an exchange student from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, who has been studying at Comeaux High School in Lafayette. She was hosted by Paula Mendoza, who is the Rotarian Club of Lafayette treasurer and Rotarian District Youth Exchange Officer. She has hosted Sugisawa — whose father is a rotarian in Japan — for 11 months. 'I got to see the world through Dou's eyes and experience things that we normally take for granted. She is the most courageous person I've ever met; she's jumped into everything I would put in front of her,' Mendoza said. Sugisawa finished her sophomore school year in Lafayette with a 3.9 GPA and took the ACT test for fun and made a 23. Mendoza said Sugisawa can accomplish anything she sets her mind to and considers herself lucky to have witnessed her extraordinary growth. Sugisawa was Mendoza's first rotarian foreign exchange student. Mendoza said a month before Sugisawa's stay with her, they started emailing back and forth. They met for the first time in Baton Rouge the day Sugisawa arrived in America. Mendoza said she has learned a lot from Sugisawa — such as the different customs between the two countries and how Americans can be louder and more boisterous while the Japanese are traditionally very quiet. Mendoza said the first few weeks Sugisawa was with her, she'd ask her how her day had gone in school. She said Sugisawa initially told her she doesn't like to talk about 'personal things.' Within three weeks, however, Sugisawa said she would look forward to telling Mendoza about her day at school. Sugisawa also started calling Mendoza 'Mom.' 'Before she got here, she had written in one of her letters, 'I don't like to be touched, if you want to hug me, please ask first,' and I wrote back, 'This might be trouble because you're coming to the south, the land of huggers,' and now months later, she hugs everybody,' Mendoza said. 'In Japan nobody hugs, I don't even hug with my own father, mother or siblings. People are so friendly here, even in the grocery stores. In Japan you don't talk to strangers in the grocery store, but I like this style,' Sugisawa said. Sugisawa said in Japan people show love and care in other forms. 'People show affection more privately and will take care of you, cook for you, it's more of an act of service,' she said. Sugisawa said she has experienced a lot while in the States — including seeing an alligator and learning to make a roux. Crawfish etouffee is her favorite Louisiana cuisine, and she said she will be taking Mendoza's crawfish etouffee recipe back to Japan with her. Bread pudding is her favorite dessert, Mendoza said. 'Everywhere we went she'd try the bread pudding if it was on the menu.' Sugisawa's experience in an American school is very different from that in Japan. She said the biggest difference is how here students switch classrooms each hour, whereas in Japan the teacher switches classes and the students stay in the same classroom, with the same students all day. 'It's not just switching classrooms, either, the relationships are also different because I'd spend all day with the same classmates in Japan,' she said. Field days and pep rallies are also not held in Japan. 'I think students at Comeaux High School have more freedom than at my school at home because my school in Japan has a very strict uniform, you are not allowed to dye your hair, wear any kind of jewelry or wear makeup in school,' she explained. Mendoza and Sugisawa traveled a lot while she was in the states. Both said a trip to Colorado was their favorite. 'Even though where she lives, in Sappara, they get the snow, they don't go skiing or play in it, it's all about education,' Mendoza said. Sugisawa will be taking a two-week East Coast trip with other foreign exchange students before flying home to Japan this summer. She will get to experience Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., South Carolina and Disney World in Florida. Sugisawa is most excited to see the Statue of Liberty. Sugisawa said she looks forward to returning home and seeing her parents and three siblings again. Mendoza plans to visit Sugisawa next year in Japan.
American Press
15 hours ago
- Politics
- American Press
Jeff Davis parish administrator gives progress report on first year
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year for a new $2.1 million state-of-the-art animal shelter for Jeff Davis shelter will feature 40 dog runs, 34 cat enclosures, areas for intake, isolation, stray animal care and surgical procedures. (Doris Maricle / American Press) Jeff Davis Parish Administrator Ben Boudreaux is nearing completion of his first year as the parish's first ever administrator. In reflecting on his first year, Boudreaux presented a progress report at a police jury meeting Wednesday. He highlighted significant accomplishments from the past year and shared his vision for the future of the parish. 'I think we've accomplished a lot,' Boudreaux said, expressing his satisfaction with the progress made. 'Hopefully more than past years.' He acknowledged that many of these achievements were a collaborative effort, with some projects initiated before his tenure and others benefiting from the expertise of the parish engineer. He emphasized that every accomplishment represents a win for the parish, and extended his sincere gratitude to the staff for their dedication, teamwork and willingness to embrace changes in a short period. He also thanked the police jurors for their invaluable input and participation, encouraging them to 'keep pushing us, don't stop.' 'When I first came to the parish, one of the things I was told is we had a back arena extension project that we wanted to be completed (at the fairgrounds),' he said. 'I know it was in the works and was a high priority for Rep. Troy Romero.' Additionally, he mentioned a bridge that required shutdown for repairs as per the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development's directive. 'I didn't know I was going to get my engineering stamp wet right off the bat, but these two things, I did the engineering plans for, and we kicked off with a bid for the arena canopy. It came in about what we estimated and as y'all know, as of this week, they completed that project, on time, on budget and it looks great. I think it is a great addition to the parish.' From an economic development standpoint, Boudreaux said both water infrastructure and road improvements have been top priorities. 'We need infrastructure improvements, especially by the interstate,' he said. 'It was a high priority for a lot of people. ' Boudreaux is particularly excited about the new water filtration system being installed by the Jeff Davis Central Water District in Woodlawn. The water well has been drilled, and the plans and permitting are complete, he said. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds provided by the police jury were instrumental in launching the project, he said. Additionally, the parish is looking forward to receiving water sector funds, which will supplement the project and reduce the need to draw solely from their own funds. Furthermore, Jeff Davis Parish Water and Sewer Commission #1 has finalized plans for a Phase One booster station project at the Lacassine water treatment plant, The project is expected to go out for bid by the end of the year, according to Boudreaux. The police jury has allocated funds from both ARPA and the state's capital outlay to support the project. 'One of the things that kind of helped this project, just like the Jeff Davis Central, was the ARPA money the police jury gave, and also the donation of the five acres where the water plant is going to be built,' he said. 'That's going to be a great addition for that area.' Boudreaux also highlighted the poor infrastructure around the interstate, attributing it to boundary issues. 'When we have boundaries, it doesn't benefit them to build a lot of infrastructure right at the tip of those boundaries,' he said. 'So we're going to have an opportunity with these (Senator Bill) Cassidy funds. That'll be a project through the police jury where we can work around and through those boundaries.' He stressed the need to strengthen those areas where the boundaries exist. Boudreaux also shared his excitement about the parish's chip seal program, which allows for improvements to gravel roads at a fraction of the cost of asphalt. 'I think it's very beneficial to growing our parish,' he said. 'Nobody likes a dusty road.' The parish is collaborating with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development on several bridge projects, which will be fully funded by the state. Work has either been completed or is scheduled to begin on bridges on Lyons Road, Ardoin Cove, Pecan Orchard Road and Payton Road, West Racca Road and Theo Road. The 2022 road project has been successfully closed out, including the completion of Farm Supply Road which was funded through capital outlay funds. In-house maintenance crews also finished 6.5 miles of chip seal work, and a draft list for additional chip seal work and paving projects in Topsy are pending bids. Nearly three miles of roads in Topsy are currently in the design phase for paving. Boudreaux said the Topsy road improvement project will enhance property value in the area and help reduce maintenance costs. 'Overall I think it is definitely a win for the parish and those people over there,' he said. The police jury was awarded $1 million for the Topsy road improvements. Additional grants were secured for new trash receptacles, generators, drainage on Plantation Road in Lake Arthur, and a hurricane safe room at the police jury office. The parish is also seeking grants for a local road safety program to provide signs and striping, arena improvements, sewer implementation, building improvements, and health unit generator. In other developments and improvements, Boudreaux said construction of a new $2.1 million state-of-the-art animal shelter is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The facility, designed for future expansion and funded without additional taxes, will feature receiving rooms, a surgical room, 40 dog runs and 34 cat enclosures. 'I've never run an animal shelter before, but I think it's good that we thought ahead and we added those things initially and designed it such that we could expand it easily in the future,' he said. 'A small animal shelter is definitely better than none at all, and we had to start somewhere.' In addition, Boudreaux said the parish has successfully updated and replaced equipment, leading to increased maintenance output. This was achieved by implementing a new work order system to manage and track complaints, dedicating personnel to digging ditches, patching, and operating equipment and utilizing part-time labor for weed spraying. The parish is actively monitoring output for accountability and incorporating advanced tools, such as a fleet management system to track vehicles and heavy equipment. 'We're buying all these things to improve, but we're also trying to save money at the same time,' he said. He said the parish has made significant strides in cost savings, including a $200,000 reduction in health insurance and a $400,000 reduction in fixed assets insurance. Additionally, the parish is performing more in-house repairs and maintenance with its own employees and increasing investments. Boudreaux also highlighted several improvements to parish-owned buildings, including the hiring of a maintenance supervisor and repair person. This is expected to help with small maintenance and repairs, and save the parish money. Repairs were made to the fairgrounds' arena roof, and many signs throughout the parish have been cosmetically fixed, including the registrar of voters office, the 911 building and the health unit. Small improvements, such as the addition of fans and new padded chairs, were also made at the multipurpose building at the fairgrounds 'We're trying to make our parish look good,' he said. Changes and improvements have also been made to the police jury office, including a new phone system and a new file sharing system to improve efficiency. Additionally, offices have been rearranged for smoother operations, regular staff meetings are being held to keep employees updated, and job titles and descriptions have been updated. 'And for the first time, we are doing employee evaluations, and that is very important because it gives employees feedback on how they're doing and what they need to improve on,' he said. The parish has also been focused on updating ordinances including those related to dirt pits, injection wells, and utility permits. Code enforcement has also been improved with the introduction of spreadsheets to track violations and documentation worksheets for tracking projects. Permit processes have been streamlined to accept online and credit card payments. Boudreaux also prioritized improving customer service, updating the parish website, and implementing new forms for driveway, logging and utility permit. Procurement and purchase order policies have also been updated. Regarding audits, Boudreaux said the parish successfully submitted all overdue audits from the past three years within a 10-month period. The 2024 audit is scheduled to be submitted by its due date. To enhance public communication, the parish is now actively using its social media page for updates and streaming meetings online. Looking ahead, Boudreaux said the parish will continue to improve road maintenance and drainage projects. A key goal for the end of the year is to clean up all maintenance yards. Improvements are also planned for the fairgrounds, Houssiere Park, Roanoke Park, and water infrastructure projects.
American Press
17 hours ago
- American Press
Mary Richardson: Exploring the beauty of our planet
1/5 Swipe or click to see more Oslo, Norway (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) 2/5 Swipe or click to see more Lisbon, Portugal (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) 3/5 Swipe or click to see more Panajachel, Guatemala (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) 4/5 Swipe or click to see more Giza, Egypt (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) 5/5 Swipe or click to see more Kirkenes, Norway (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) Mary Richardson is not just a tourist. She's an explorer who seeks to immerse herself in new environments, embracing diversity and forging genuine relationships with the locals. 'I consider Lake Charles my community — my church is here, my friends are here, half of my family is here. But I also feel a broader connection with humanity,' she said. Richardson, who shares her travel experiences several times a year through her writings in the American Press , said she travels not only for the beauty she finds when she arrives at the destination but also out of sheer curiosity. 'There's a sense of awe with our planet,' she said. 'I'm a history major and Joe (her husband) has an undergraduate degree in history and it's one thing to read about a country, it's another thing to see it. In Egypt, we were climbing up the Step Pyramid near Cairo and it's 5,000 years old! It's only been 2,000 years since the beginning of Christianity and that had already been there for 3,000 years. There's this sense of timing; you're only a piece of dust in it.' When Joe and Mary were courting, Richardson said the couple never had big plans to see the world. That came later. 'We had a Pinto with a stick shift and we would pull a boat,' she said with a laugh. 'That's how we traveled. We would go camping in national parks and state parks.' He's from Kentucky, she's from Minnesota. They met and married in Florida and shortly after moved to Nevada for his work as a civil engineer. Eventually, Joe was awarded a Fulbright Professorship — a prestigious opportunity for American faculty members to teach abroad — and the program took their family to United Emirates, Sharjah, Namibia, Singapore, Indonesia, Holland and Dubai. 'We started traveling when he started working in these foreign countries,' she said. 'He went to Rwanda first, 10 years after the genocide, and that's when we started thinking about the world. Then he became a department head in Dubai, then he had a Fulbright to Namibia. That's how I got to see Africa. Very few of the trips have been planned, most came by circumstance where he happened to be. That's where we got a taste of being part of the world as opposed to being part of a small community.' The pair found themselves in Lake Charles in 1986. 'We were passing through back to Gainesville, Fla., where Joe was getting his Ph.D. in civil engineering and we stopped and I had the blackened catfish and I told Joe, 'I'd like to stay here.' That's the truth,' she said. Both found work at McNeese State University — he as an engineering professor and she as the director of the Banners Cultural Series. 'We don't appreciate what we have,' she said. 'This country is a miracle. One of the miracles is our founding fathers. At one time, they were all there together, forming our democracy, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. Nothing like that has ever happened in Haiti. Haiti has not had good government not one day in its life.' She said travel has given her a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the gifts she's been given. 'It's not due to you; it's chance that you were born here and had these opportunities,' she said. 'In Guatemala, I developed an appreciation for gratitude. You can look at them and say, 'Oh, poor thing. You don't have enough electricity. You don't have carpets on the floors.' They don't care. They're just grateful for what they do have.' She said traveling has deeply changed her view of the world. 'We went by a refugee camp on the border of Ethiopia. People have been there for years and they weren't going to get out. It was a hopeless situation. If I hadn't seen that I would have known about it in my mind, but not know about it in my heart. It hurts. The tragedy at the border has a face. 'Travel broadens you as a person,' she continued. 'I do see myself as a piece of dust in the world as opposed to a little piece of sand in Lake Charles.' When Joe retired she said that's when the travel bug really hit the pair — and, as Johnny Cash sings, the Richardsons have 'been everywhere man.' They've been to five of the seven continents. They haven't been to Australia or Antartica. Joe has been to 48 states, Mary said she's still catching up. Istanbul is top on her bucket list of sites to see. 'Joe has been to Istanbul but I have not,' she said. 'And I've been to Morocco but Joe has not. I want to see Istanbul, that's the kind of architecture that feeds my soul. I'd also like to see Nepal.' Before retirement, the couple planned two trips a year. Now they take about four. 'We're in a travel period of our life,' she said. 'I feel like time is chasing us. We're both healthy right now but he's 80 and I just turned 78. If we're going to do something, we've got to do it now. Age makes you feel vulnerable to chance.' Mary is an adventurous eater, but Joe 'not so much.' 'I've had some really bad meals, though, especially if I can't read a menu,' she said. 'In Singapore, I had my first tuna pizza. I will never forget that because it was not a match made of heaven. That was not a good idea.' Also not a good idea? Shark. 'I tried the shark in Iceland, though I was warned against it,' she said. 'That was doubly unfortunate. First of all, it's something you never want to put in your mouth but second of all, a friend asked us to bring some home and I put some frozen shark in my backpack but the pressure during the flight opened it up and oh boy.' During the pandemic, the couple realized they needed to see more of the United States. 'We went out west and back to the Grand Canyon,' she said. 'Joe had been there many times a nd I had been only once as a child and I think everyone who has been to the Grand Canyon remembers that sense of awe. That gasp. Some of the most beautiful sights in the world are right here in the United States.' Their fall trip this year will cover six national parks. 'We're going to stay at the historic lodges that we looked at in when we were staying in tents,' she said. 'And just because we're staying in these historic lodges, doesn't mean we're staying in luxury.' Traveling is incredibly important for personal growth, cultural understanding and global awareness. It also broadens perspectives, fosters empathy and provides opportunities for learning, skill development and lasting memories, Richardson said. 'I don't know if you become a better person, necessarily. I don't know if you become smarter or wiser. I'm not sure about that. I don't think you can help but become more appreciative and more grateful — not to feel sorry for other people; it's a different kind of gratitude. I don't know how to define it. It's a valuable experience.'
American Press
2 days ago
- Business
- American Press
Trump admin expands LNG authorizations in Gulf of America states
Commonwealth LNG is a LNG liquefaction and export facility located on the west bank of the Calcasieu Ship Channel at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico near Cameron. The facility will have six 50,000 M3 modular storage tanks and will be able to accommodate vessels up to 216,000 M3. (Special to the American Press) By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Under the Trump administration, the Department of Energy has so far issued five liquified natural gas (LNG) authorizations in the Gulf of America states of Louisiana, Texas and Florida. Under the first Trump administration, the U.S. became the largest LNG exporter in the world, led by the Gulf states of Louisiana and Texas. By 2023, Louisiana accounted for 61% of LNG exports, according to U.S. Energy Information Agency data. The new authorizations reverse Biden administration orders, including banning issuing new LNG export permits, which disproportionately negatively impacted Gulf states. 'Exporting American LNG strengthens the U.S. economy and supports American jobs while bolstering energy security around the world, and I am proud to be working with President Trump to get American energy exports back on track,' Energy Secretary Chris Wright said. The DOE's first LNG export authorization was the Commonwealth LNG project in Cameron Parish. Owned by Kimmeridge Texas Gas, LLC, its exports to non-free trade agreement countries are expected to top 1.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of LNG. The DOE said Commonwealth LNG exports 'are likely to yield economic benefits to the United States, diversify global LNG supplies, and improve energy security for U.S. allies and trading partners over the course of the export term through 2050.' A final authorization is expected later this year. The DOE's second authorization was issuing an 'Order on Rehearing,' reversing a Biden administration order that created greater regulatory burdens for using LNG as a marine fuel source, known as LNG bunkering. The reversal will benefit JAX LNG, a small-scale coastal LNG facility located at Dames Point near Jacksonville, Florida, impacted by the Biden-era directive. It dispenses LNG fuel to ships, including cruise ships, car carriers, petroleum tankers and container ships. The DOE withdrew exercise of its jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act for ship-to-ship transfers of LNG for marine fuel use at a U.S. port, in U.S. waters, or in international waters, it said. It also left unchanged its authorization to JAX to export LNG via ISO container. The demand for LNG as marine fuel has increased as emissions regulations for shipping have increased. The number of LNG-fueled ships is expected to nearly double, reaching more than 1,200 vessels by 2028, according to an EIA January 2025 Quarterly Gas Report. The DOE's third LNG authorization extends an LNG export permit for Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, currently under construction in Sabine Pass, Texas. The project was first approved under the first Trump administration. Golden Pass, owned by QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, is expected to begin exports this year. Once operational, it will be the ninth large-scale export terminal operating in the U.S., able to export up to 2.57 Bcf/d of LNG. The DOE's fourth authorization extended an LNG export permit for Delfin LNG LLC to construct a floating liquefied natural gas vessel off the coast of Louisiana after it was delayed by the Biden administration. Delfin, majority-owned by Fairwood Peninsula, Talisman Global Alternative Master, L.P. and Talisman Global Capital Master, L.P., is expected to reach a final investment decision later this year. The order extends the authorization date to June 1, 2029, for Delfin to begin exporting up to 1.8 Bcf/d of LNG to non-free trade agreement countries. The fifth and most recent authorization was for Port Arthur LNG Phase II in Jefferson County, Texas. Owned by Sempra Energy, it's projected to export 1.91 billion Bcf/d of LNG once completed. Port Arthur Phase I is currently under construction and expected to begin exporting LNG in 2027. Sempra also operates the Cameron LNG export terminal in Louisiana, which has been exporting LNG since 2019. It's currently constructing the Energia Costa Azul terminal in Mexico, which is slated to begin commercial export operations of U.S.-sourced LNG next year. All five authorizations bring the total volume of LNG exports to 11.45 Bcf/d, the DOE said. According to EIA's most recent Short-Term Energy Outlook, LNG exports are expected to reach record highs this year, averaging more than 15 Bcf/d, coinciding with record projected natural gas production of nearly 105 Bcf/d, led by Texas and Louisiana.
