The Biden administration’s pause on approving new liquefied natural gas export terminals has drawn bipartisan support as a good number of House Democrats joined their Republican counterparts in speaking against the move.
‘Threatens national security’: Even some Democrats are balking at Biden’s latest energy decision https://t.co/Y0Be0hJY6S
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) February 6, 2024
The administration is holding up its approvals of both new and pending proposals for LNG export terminals in order to make time for consideration of how these projects can affect the climate.
While climate activists consider the pause a victory for their movement, legislators are worried about the policy and geopolitical implications.
Seven Democratic members of the Energy Export Caucus approved a letter sent to President Joe Biden raising concerns with his administration’s decision regarding LNG, which energy sector experts said will not reduce emission but will empower foreign producers.
In the letter, which was sent on Monday, the lawmakers wrote, “The Department of Energy’s plan to change the criteria used to approve new LNG export projects threatens national security, the economy and clean energy goals … If the Biden administration is serious about addressing global climate goals the easiest way to achieve those goals is to bolster U.S. LNG production and exportation.”
“Natural gas production and U.S. LNG exports supply much-needed energy to our allies, sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs for Americans, and provide global environmental benefits,” they added, urging the administration to direct the U.S. Department of Energy to issue U.S. LNG export licenses more rapidly rather than stop or pause the process.”
The House Democrats who signed the letter are Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Jared Golden (D-ME), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AL) and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX).
The letter comes after Senate Republicans introduced a bill that aims to overturn the policy. A similar legislation is expected to be proposed in the House later this month.
