A group of 16 Republican attorneys general from around the country sued the Biden administration on Thursday over the suspension of federal permits for new liquid natural gas (LNG) exports.
States led by Louisiana and Texas are asking the Department of Energy to rescind the ban announced in January. They argue that the government does not have the power to unilaterally refuse permits and that the ban is contrary to Congress.
“This ban ignores statutory obligations, ignores normal regulatory processes, disrupts industry, disrupts Plaintiffs’ economies, and destroys the constitutional fabric of our nation,” the lawsuit says. read. “These illegal acts leave plaintiffs no choice but to once again turn to the courts to enforce the law.”
The complaint alleges that Biden’s suspension was politically motivated, at the whim of “activists,” and that “billionaire conglomerates, celebrities, and ‘influencers'” were “in the midst of an election year.” ,Bank. ”
The Biden administration opted for a moratorium on LNG in January after pressure from environmentalists, pledging to review the country’s investments in the fuel source. While proponents praise coal as a cleaner alternative, others say leaks from pipelines can contaminate coal as well.
This fuel source has long been seen as a bridge between coal and renewable energy, with former President Obama first pushing for LNG. President Biden’s permit ban marked a sharp change from his predecessor.
The lawsuit comes after Republicans in Congress repeatedly called on Biden to reinstate the ban. Republicans on the House Oversight Committee requested details of the policy in a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm last week.
The three Republican senators cited a Wall Street Journal report suggesting the administration consulted with environmental groups before making the announcement, saying, “The timing of this decision in an election year makes it clear that politically motivated action is not driving action.” This raises the possibility that this may have been caused.”
The Republican-led House of Representatives passed a bill in February that would strip LNG permitting authority from the White House and transfer it to an independent agency, and a similar bill was introduced in the Senate at the same time.
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