US 'energy dominance': Wright, Burgum visit Louisiana liquefied natural gas facility amid $18B expansion

U.S. liquefied natural gas exports were able to replace a substantial amount of gas supply to Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. 

The Plaquemines, Louisiana, liquefied natural gas facility is expected to produce approximately 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas, but with the additional investment, it is expected to provide a total production capacity of more than 45 MTPA at Plaquemines. 

"President Trump's vision to unleash our energy potential, drive down inflation, and sell energy to our allies is signaling to the world that America is back," Burgum told Fox News Digital. "By investing in American Energy Dominance, the administration is empowering companies like Venture Global and their hardworking employees to Make America Great Again." 

Burgum told Fox News Digital that the success of facilities like Plaquemines Parish's liquefied natural gas export operation "is proof that America's next 'Golden Age' is underway." 

Additionally, Wright told Fox News Digital that on day one of Trump's second term, he and the Department of Energy "ended the Biden-Harris administration's failed ban" on liquefied natural gas export permits. 

"Thanks to President Trump's leadership, companies are investing in America again," Wright said. "Just 50 days in, the American people are already seeing the impacts of the energy dominance agenda - and this is just the beginning." 

The planned Plaquemines expansion is expected to consist of 24 trains and would represent an approximately $18 billion additional investment in Louisiana, bringing Venture Global's total investment in U.S. projects to more than $75 billion.

Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel told Fox News Digital that the expansion makes Plaquemines "the largest" liquefied natural gas "export facility built in North America," and said supplying liquefied natural gas to U.S. allies will have a "substantial impact on the U.S. balance of trade." 

"We believe this flexible incremental capacity will position us to respond rapidly to market growth signals," Sabel said. "In a capital-intensive commodity industry, capital will always flow to the most competitive projects, and we believe that an expansion of Plaquemines is one of the most economically efficient opportunities available to meet growing" liquefied natural gas demands.

Sabel also touted the Trump administration for creating "the best regulatory environment in decades." 

The expansion is also expected to support hundreds of new, permanent Louisiana jobs and tens of thousands of indirect subcontractor, part-time and full-time jobs throughout the state, and more than 30 other states across the nation. 

"Today's announcement is a result of President Trump's dedication to strengthening our energy infrastructure," Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry told Fox News Digital. "Under President Trump, Louisiana is now at the forefront of supplying LNG to our allies, and bringing America to energy independence once again." 

The visit and the massive investment come just days after Trump's first address of his second term to a joint session of Congress. The president vowed to "make America affordable again" by reducing the cost of energy. 

He added, "It's called drill, baby, drill."