Reuters: Regulatory News: UPDATE 2-US LNG export study by NERA consulting -sources

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UPDATE 2-US LNG export study by NERA consulting -sources Nov 19th 2012, 23:14 Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:45pm EST * Energy Dept has refused to identify contractor for report * NERA model assesses impact of policy on economy * LNG export report due out by end of year By Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (Reuters) - A highly anticipated report being produced for the U.S. Department of Energy on the economic consequences of exporting U.S. natural gas, is being conducted by NERA Economic Consulting, industry sources said. The Energy Department has not revealed the identity of the contractor it hired to conduct an analysis of liquefied natural gas exports. The natural gas industry has been closely watching for any details of the study, which is expected to be released by the end of the year. Companies have been lining up to export the surplus gas that has flooded the U.S. market because of the shale drilling boom. It is more than a year since the department issued its first and so far only approval for gas exports to Cheniere's Sabine Pass terminal. The DOE has said it will not make any decisions on allowing more exports until a comprehensive macroeconomic study is completed. It has denied "outsourcing" the decision to the authors of its external study. With critics raising concerns that LNG exports could raise energy prices and harm consumers and manufacturers, the department has been tight-lipped about the firm conducting this study, which could have far-reaching consequences. NERA, a unit of Marsh & McLennan Cos, said it does not comment on the identity of its clients. The Department of Energy declined to name the study contractor. With more than 20 offices around the world including Washington D.C., NERA has "pioneered in developing approaches for introducing competition in segments such as power generation and gas supply," its website says. The company also touts its NewERA modeling tool, designed to measure the impacts of energy policy on the economy as a whole, as well impacts on energy-intensive sectors. Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints

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