LNG Moratorium Won’t Go Down Without a Fight

In the wake of the Biden administration’s decision to delay all new LNG export permits, congressional leadership has stepped up to secure our nation’s energy future, strengthen our relationships with allies and protect American jobs. This decision sent shock waves through the international community as it puts into question America’s credibility as a supplier and weakens the already volatile global energy market. Leadership acknowledges this reality and is taking steps to actively find stability in light of the misguided decision.

Recently, more than 150 members of Congress, led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and House Speaker Mike Johnson, sent a letter to the Biden administration, demanding he reverse his decision and expeditiously approve all pending LNG export permits. One of the main concerns that the representatives outline is the staggering national security concerns the decision presents, specifically in terms of empowering Russia and putting our allies in peril. Additionally, the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act was introduced last week by the Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott, which would strip the Department of Energy (DOE) of its authority having final say on LNG export projects, instead leaving approval decisions with the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Alongside these actions on the Hill, Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) are arguing for the importance of LNG exports in local communities, particularly those on the Gulf Coast. In a recent Houston Chronicle op-ed, the senators emphasized the damage this decision would have on jobs and the economies of Louisiana and Texas. As 95 percent of LNG is produced in Louisiana and Texas, there has been a significant economic boom throughout the states and nationally. According to the senators, increased exports could only build on this by creating more than 450,000 jobs and increasing the U.S. gross domestic product by $73 billion. Now, the administration’s decision leaves these opportunities inaccessible to Americans.

The Biden administration must put our nation’s energy security and economic wellbeing in front of calls from TikTok activists. Energy security is not a partisan issue, as Democratic senators like Senator John Fetterman (PA) and Senator Bob Casey (PA)  have both voiced their frustration with the administration’s decision on record. It’s time we put true, genuine energy policy back on the table. Our nation security and American jobs are not a political ploy.

What others are saying:

“It is very important to be able to provide that kind of fuel to our allies because they’ve joined with the United States, they have lost the ability to have to rely on Russian energy. That’s a good thing and we ought to be providing the support necessary in order to give them the ability to be independent of that source of energy.” – former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

“This industry has created good-paying energy jobs in towns and communities across the Commonwealth and has played a critical role in promoting U.S. energy independence.” – Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman (D-PA).

“To create a market, you have to have producers, and then you have to have buyers and sellers. So this market is being created and it is one of the most exciting, robust markets in the world because it can help us lower our emissions, not just because it makes money, not just because it’s good for our national security, but it is responsible for lowering domestic emissions. And as we displace international coal, we lower global emissions.”- former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

“American LNG exports have enhanced our geopolitical influence and international energy security across the board since 2016. In addition to Europe, U.S. LNG has a significant impact on energy security in Asia. Limiting U.S. LNG exports does not have any impact on the world’s demand for natural gas. Instead, countries including Russia and Iran will simply produce more energy that is subject to less stringent environmental regulations. As a result, limiting American LNG exports in the name of stopping climate change could do just the opposite and add to global emissions.” – Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

“To try and now take this issue where it has been an unmitigated success and our ability to provide this natural gas to our allies, to lower emissions around the world, to increase energy security, makes no sense.” – Marty Durbin, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute.