H.R. 381 — LNG Public Interest Determination Act of 2025

This section modifies Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization requirements under the Natural Gas Act for natural gas exports and imports and establishes a new process for the Secretary of Energy to authorize exports. Specifically, it (1) amends subsection (a) to eliminate FERC's public interest review for exports (previously required for both exports and imports, now required only for imports); (2) amends subsection (c) to eliminate expedited approval for exports to free trade agreement nations (now limited to specified imports); and (3) adds subsection (g) requiring a Secretary of Energy order for any export, issuable only after a public interest finding that the export is not likely to significantly contribute to climate change (based on full lifecycle greenhouse gas assessments using 20-year methane global warming potential, social cost of emissions, and consistency with U.S. net-zero commitments by 2050), materially increase U.S. consumer energy prices or volatility (with subgroup analyses), or create disproportionate burdens on vulnerable communities (per environmental justice assessments); requires a decision within one year after FERC's final environmental impact statement and DOE assessments; and mandates public participation addressing environmental justice barriers. (As background, Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act previously granted FERC authority over both imports—treated as first sales under free trade agreements—and exports unless not in the public interest, with streamlined approval for certain imports and exports to free trade agreement nations.) (Thus, exports now require separate DOE review with stringent climate, economic, and equity criteria, independent of FERC.)

This section terminates the categorical exclusion (B5.7) in the Department of Energy's (DOE) NEPA implementing regulations for approving or disapproving natural gas exports and associated transportation by marine vessel. (Thus, DOE must conduct case-by-case NEPA analysis—such as environmental assessments or impact statements—for such actions.)