Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been purified and cooled to a liquid. In the United States, there are more than 170 LNG facilities, and we are the world's largest LNG exporter. An LNG facility at a natural gas–fired power plant can provide backup fuel to generate electricity and prevent service interruptions during high-demand periods, extreme weather events, gas pipeline outages, and other pipeline supply disruptions. It can help an electric utility avoid expensive electricity or natural gas purchases during price spikes. This report provides an update on LNG, including three broad pathways that a utility can take to use LNG as a backup fuel supply at a power plant.
