Submitted by EnergyTechStocks.com
Every energy expert says there is no single “silver bullet” for solving the global energy crisis. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a bunch of silver bullets, each one of which might solve a part of this crisis, and do so in a way that makes investors a lot of money. EnergyTechStocks.com has loaded up its six-shooters with silver-bullet solutions to different aspects of the energy crisis which, in its opinion, aren’t just technologically feasible but, just as important, politically and financially viable as well.
Silver Bullet #7: Fast track the legal battle over siting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals off the coasts of major U.S. cities so that America isn’t left exposed to a natural gas crisis, which several experts say could develop within three or so years.
“The battle has just begun,” Connecticut’s attorney general said two weeks ago, after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved plans for an LNG terminal in Long Island Sound, over the strenuous objections of state officials. Connecticut isn’t alone. California, Massachusetts and other locales are fighting plans to build LNG terminals in their backyards.
Whatever the ultimate outcome in the courts, America can’t afford to let the legal system run its natural course. If it does, the U.S. may well find itself critically short of domestic supplies of natural gas, without the terminals needed to offload vitally-needed imports of LNG. While terminals are being built off the coast of Texas, there likely won’t be enough to meet America’s needs. Furthermore, the terminals in the Gulf of Mexico will be permanently exposed to a crippling hurricane.
To be sure, at present there is more than enough natural gas available in the U.S., thanks largely to unexpectedly strong production from the Barnett Shale and other unconventional reserves. But experts say the pendulum will soon shift, especially if, as now seems inevitable, imports of Canadian natural gas are greatly reduced because that gas is needed to extract more tar sands oil.
However the court battles turn out, investors may want to take a close look at companies that are already building America’s new LNG infrastructure, such as Cheniere Energy and Chicago Bridge & Iron. They also may want to look at shipyards that should benefit from the growing global LNG industry, such Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries, all three South Korean firms