Is LNG Part of the Solution to Tight Natural Gas Supplies?
While calling for Americans to save energy, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham has also called for a second natural gas summit, this time focusing on the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The Global Liquefied Natural Gas Summit, to be held in the United States later this year, will explore global natural gas resources, proposed LNG supply projects, and export and import terminals. With growing demand for natural gas in the United States and limited supplies in the lower 48 states, natural gas imports from Alaska or other countries are likely to grow in importance in the future-although energy efficiency and renewable energy can help mitigate the need for such imports. Since natural gas is, of course, a gas, importing it requires either a pipeline (which means the exporting country must be nearby, such as Canada) or the use of LNG, which can be carried by ship. Currently, there are three import terminals in the United States, with a fourth expected to resume operations in late summer
