Rocky Mountain States Eye Asian LNG Markets

Santa Fe, New Mexico – Governors from New Mexico and Wyoming, along with Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, outlined a potential roadmap for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Rocky Mountain region to Asia, including Japan. The announcement was made Monday at a news conference in Santa Fe, emphasizing the region’s energy potential and growing international demand.

The plan stems from a new report by the Western States and Tribal Nations Energy Initiative, which highlighted that with the right infrastructure, Rocky Mountain states could provide fast, green, and cost-effective natural gas to both domestic and Asian markets.

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Infrastructure and Export Routes

The report identifies two main export pathways:

1. Pacific Northwest Route – Transporting gas to ports in Washington state for overseas shipping.
2. Southwest Route via Mexico – Shipping gas to the Pacific coast, bypassing the Panama Canal and mitigating Gulf of Mexico weather risks.

The San Juan Basin in the Four Corners area—covering parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming—was highlighted as a major source of natural gas.

While no contracts or commercial agreements have been signed, all parties emphasized that Asia, particularly Japan, is a willing customer, reinforced by Japan’s $7 billion annual energy purchase commitment as part of recent U.S. tariff negotiations.

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Economic and Environmental Benefits

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the project represents a significant opportunity for job creation and economic growth while promoting a transition to less carbon-intensive energy. She credited an April trip to Japan and Singapore for building the foundation of the initiative.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon noted that the partnership represents shared regional interests in accessing Asian energy markets, emphasizing that the effort transcends partisan differences.

Jason Sandel, chairman of the initiative, highlighted that Asia’s LNG demand is expected to double by 2025, and Rocky Mountain gas could reduce the continent’s carbon footprint by up to 40%, offering cleaner energy options for data centers and other industrial uses.