Energy sector experts say the Biden administration's decision to halt approvals for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals will not reduce emissions but will give a boost to overseas production, Daily Caller News Foundation told.
While the administration has suspended approvals for proposed terminals, the Department of Energy (DOE) has expanded its review to include the project's climate impacts to determine whether it is in the public interest. It is expanding. While President Joe Biden is was popular The move is a decisive step towards combating the “climate crisis,” energy sector experts told DCNF, saying the decision would actually increase global emissions while also increasing U.S. national interests. He said it would empower foreign energy producers, including countries that are not necessarily friendly.
“Today, my administration announced a moratorium on liquefied natural gas exports pending a decision, except in urgent and unforeseen national security emergencies,” Biden said in a statement. “This suspension of new LNG approvals highlights the climate crisis for what it is: a modern-day existential threat. MAGA Republicans are intentionally denying the urgency of the climate crisis and putting Americans at risk. We are pushing it into the future, but my administration is not going to be complacent. We will not concede to special interests.” (Related: 'Self-inflicted wounds': Is Biden about to hand the Trump campaign a big political gift?)
Trump: “Drill baby, drill… We have more oil and gas, or liquid gold, than any other country. And we’re not using it…
We have the best at our feet and yet we go to Venezuela. These people are crazy! ” pic.twitter.com/2H9ze1P6HR
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 17, 2023
But energy experts say the decision is political rather than motivated by concerns about emissions or U.S. energy security. young voters and environmental activist group This person will be an important bastion of support for Mr. Biden in the next presidential election. On the other hand, global energy production and demand will not decline, but if the administration effectively scraps numerous export terminal projects like Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2), companies wishing to import U.S. LNG will be able to meet their needs. may have to look for another location. Louisiana, they told the DCNF.
“Biden will do whatever he thinks is politically necessary. If he thinks he needs a bunch of college students to vote for him, he'll do whatever it takes to do that.” Dan Kish, a senior energy researcher at DCNF. “This will not reduce emissions at all, as the United States produces LNG with the lowest environmental impact compared to almost every country on earth. This decision will actually increase emissions.” , because it can be costly to obtain natural gas in Europe and Asia, and they may resort to burning coal.”
America's LNG exports to Europe are increased significantly Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, European companies invested Huge sums of money have been poured into expanding LNG import infrastructure to complement US export facilities like CP2.
“As a result of this decision, Russia and Qatar are clearly in the driver's seat,” Kish continued. “This is a huge blow to NATO.”
From an emissions perspective, natural gas considered It is the cleanest type of energy-dense fossil fuel, and U.S. LNG is about 30% cleaner than Russian LNG. according to Go to the clear path. As of June 2023, the United States is the world's largest LNG exporter, with Australia, Qatar, and Russia rounding out the top four. according to Based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
“Despite claims to the contrary from the White House, it is extremely foolish to claim that this measure will do anything to curb emissions. It's going to come from somewhere, either in the United States, where it's produced more responsibly than anywhere else, or in other countries where there are far fewer environmental regulations.'' Oil and Gas currently writes and consults on the energy sector. an industry official told DCNF. “Big winners will include exporting countries such as Qatar and Algeria, where the terrorist organization Hamas is safely based. Losers will include large users of LNG in the United States, especially with a struggling economy and a disappearing industry. These include Germany and other European countries that desperately need gas to shore up their base. The president himself reportedly chose to once again demonize 'MAGA Republicans' in his public statements about this policy move. The facts clearly point to a political motive.”
While the Biden administration's decision to suspend approvals and expand the scope of review does not completely halt CP2 and other LNG export terminal projects, the delays will hold up financing and significantly increase investment uncertainty. This could put the project at risk. In the form of additional paperwork, Blackmon and Kish both told the DCNF.
White House officials reportedly met with several activists, including a 25-year-old TikTok influencer and members of Climate Defiance, before making the decision. Environmental activist groups have been pressuring Biden to cancel the CP2 project, especially after the administration allowed ConocoPhillips' Alaska Willow project to proceed last year.
Activist groups took a victory lap following Friday's announcement, with a number of protests planned to put pressure on the government over the LNG export terminal canceled. according to Go to Bloomberg News.
on the other hand, American Petroleum Institute and Many republican party Member of Parliament It slammed the decision, calling it a counterproductive and unnecessary attack on the U.S. energy sector.
Ann Bradbury, CEO of the U.S. Exploration and Production Council, said of the suspension of approvals: “The Biden administration's decision to suspend U.S. LNG export approvals is nonsense.'' “It simultaneously harms the U.S. economy, threatens the security of our allies around the world, and impedes global emissions reduction goals.”
Neither the White House nor the Department of Energy responded to requests for comment.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
