WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump

issued an order on Monday for the U.S. to resume processing

export permit applications for new liquefied natural gas (LNG)

projects, part of an effort to raise U.S. energy output and

dismantle his predecessor's climate policies.

The Republican's executive order, which was expected,

effectively reverses a pause on permits for new projects that

former President Joe Biden put in place in early 2024. Biden, a

Democrat, paused the approvals so U.S. national laboratories

could study the environmental and economic effects of the

booming export industry.

U.S. shipments of LNG set a record in 2023 and the country

is the world's largest exporter of the product. Exports are

expected to double by the end of the decade and could double

again under existing authorizations, the Energy Department has

said.

But the pause in new export permits had created uncertainty

for a slew of projects in the works, many supplying Asia and

Europe.

Plants in Louisiana awaiting approvals include Commonwealth

LNG, Venture Global's CP2, Cheniere Energy's expansion

to its Sabine Pass facility and Energy Transfer's ( ET ) Lake

Charles terminal. In Texas, a second phase of Sempra's ( SRE )

project Port Arthur LNG, awaits approval.

Trump's incoming energy team will be tasked with executing

his pledge to boost U.S. oil and gas output.

Chris Wright, his choice to run the Energy Department which

would issue the LNG export permits, led oilfield service company

Liberty Energy and told senators in his nomination

hearing last week that his first priority is to expand domestic

energy production including LNG and nuclear power.

Doug Burgum, former governor of oil producing state North

Dakota and Trump's pick for Interior Secretary, is expected to

clear the way for more oil and gas leasing on federal lands.

Burgum will head a national energy council to find ways to boost

energy output.