NYREADERS.COM - More than 150 Republicans have sent a letter to President Biden urging him to lift de facto ban on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, arguing that the decision could jeopardy the stability and affordability of natural gas domestically.
The Republican lawmakers, led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., penned a letter to Biden on Sunday evening, demanding his administration "expeditiously approve all pending applications to increase the global supply of natural gas."
The decision, they said, would not only disrupt the stability and affordability of natural gas domestically, but it may also hurt the American economy and jobs, undercut our allies, and strengthen our adversaries.
“We write regarding the announcement that the Department of Energy (DOE) will stop issuing indefinitely permits to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) while your administration conducts an additional “public interest” review, including environmental, economic, and environmental justice criteria,” the statement said.
“This is economically and strategically dangerous and unnecessary,” they said.
Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, DOE has consistently found that U.S. LNG exports serve the “public interest” because they contribute positive economic benefits and strengthen energy security for the American people, and also have the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, they noted.
On Jan. 26, President Biden halted the approval process for new U.S. LNG export sites, prioritizing the wishes of radical activists over U.S. energy security and the security of our allies.
Over the past seven years, the U.S. has increased its LNG export capacity from zero to 11.6 billion cubic feet per day. During the same period, the spot price of U.S. natural gas has remained relatively stable and affordable.
These actions will weaken global energy security, halt investment in American energy, and jeopardize U.S. energy leadership.
Several studies have shown that U.S. LNG exports could add upwards of $73 billion to the U.S. economy by 2040, create upwards of 453,000 American jobs, and increase U.S. held purchasing power by $30 billion. (*)
