Whitmore_subbed.qxp 1/4/09 12:15 Page 31
Policy Differences Between the Bush and
Obama Administrations
It appears that the change in presidential regime from the Bush to
the Obama administration will further slow, if not stop, the
development of offshore LNG terminals. The current Obama
energy plan focuses on increasing the use of renewable energy
sources and relying less on energy imports. The Obama
administration plan depends on wind energy, developing and
utilising plug-in vehicles and reducing energy consumption in
what Obama himself described as “an ambitious and complex
energy policy”.
24
His administration plans to move closer to
energy independence by supporting both the exploration of
domestic natural gas reserves and the completion of an Alaskan
natural gas pipeline.
25
Focusing on domestic natural gas
production reduces the need for importing LNG and therefore any
further construction of offshore LNG terminals.
The Obama administration has selected key cabinet members and
federal agency leaders who will support the administration’s
energy policy.
24
Dr Steven Chu, a Nobel-prize-winning physicist, is
Secretary of the Department of Energy. Chu has commented that
the country should focus on clean coal, alternative energy,
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stronger scientific research and reducing greenhouse gases. Carol
Browner, who headed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
for President Clinton, was chosen to lead a White House Council
BIGGER.
on Energy and Climate. Obama has chosen Lisa Jackson, the
former Head of New Jersey’s Environmental Agency, as EPA
STRONGER.
administrator. Jackson led New Jersey’s efforts in developing a
climate-change bill and convinced her state to join in the Regional
Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a programme in which 10 north-
FASTER.
eastern states are co-operating to reduce carbon emissions from
power plants.
24
In February 2009, Ken Salazar, Obama’s selection
HOSS Gas Field Compressor.
for Secretary of the Department of the Interior, presented a
When it comes to gathering, storing, or
strategy for developing a comprehensive energy plan for the US
transporting large volumes of gas, you
Outer Continental Shelf.
26
The plan suggests expediting the
approval process for offshore renewable energy projects and
need the muscle to handle the job. The
slowing the approval permitting process for offshore oil and gas
Dresser-Rand HOSS compressor is big –
drilling by extending the public comment period.
yet can still be conventionally packaged.
It’s engineered to be strong – for applica-
Future Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas
tions up to 8,700 horsepower (6,488 kW)
Policy Predictions
at 1,200 rpm. And it can be delivered fast
In some ways, the future of offshore LNG terminals remains
– leaving others in the dust.
unknown. Natural gas is still considered ‘cleaner’ than oil, yet
some view the regasification process of LNG as dirtier than the
drilling of natural gas. Hypothetically, more conservative policy
changes that increase domestic environmental regulations
pertaining to mining and air pollution may require an increase in
LNG imports and offshore terminal regasification. Future energy
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energy imports, only a basic outline of the administration’s energy info@dresser-rand.com
policy has been developed.
27
However, one cannot ignore recent LNG import trends, industry
concerns, market uncertainties and the policy goals of the Obama
administration. Possibly the best indicator of future LNG terminal
policy is what has happened over the last two years: most offshore
LNG terminal proposals have been dropped or denied. The US – even
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