Texas Republican Rep. Pfluger introduced a new bill Thursday that shifted responsibility for approving liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects from the hands of the Department of Energy (DOE) after unilaterally freezing approvals for most such projects in 2024 under the Joe Biden administration.
Pfluger's bill,Unlock domestic LNG potential lawschanges existing policies by providing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with the authority to approve LNG export projects and remove that authority from the DOE. The 2024 order under the Biden administration effectively frozen LNG approval after critics said it. The same bill passed the House in February 2024 with support from GOP lawmakers and nine House Democrats.
“President Biden has unleashed America's energy production and has restricted future energy exports by focusing on four years of progressive climate extremists and limiting future energy exports. In a statement shared with the Daily Call News Foundation (DCNF), Pfluger will ultimately take office as president, who understands that having efficient, reliable, and affordable energy is key to US national security. “This law will reduce the deficit by removing the Department of Energy's license requirements and streamlining the permitting process. Energy security is national security, and I am looking forward to salvage Senator Scott for leading the bill in the Senate and asking for its passage in both rooms.” (Related: After meeting with a 25-year-old Tiktok influencer, the Biden team reportedly took a step to kill the natural gas project)
Unlock domestic LNG potential laws by Nick Pope
The FERC is an independent institution made up of commissioners appointed by both parties, primarily with highly technical issues in energy regulations. Meanwhile, the DOE is a cabinet body led by political appointees announced in the Senate, elected by the president, and is ostensibly more likely to become political than the FERC.
Joining Pfluger as co-sponsors of the bill are Republican Reps. John Joyce of Pennsylvania, Julia Letlow of Louisiana, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, Roger Williams of Texas, Troy Balderson of Ohio, Craig Goldman of Texas, Randy Weber in Texas, Joe Day Arlington in Texas, Dunn New House in Washington, Jake Elsey in Texas, Pete Session in Texas, Brian Babin in Texas, and John Carter in Texas.
A group of GOP Senators led by South Carolina Tim Scott also introduced a companion version of Pfluger's bill in the Senate Thursday. Scott's co-sponsors for the Senate version are Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Ted Budd of North Carolina, Katie Britt of Alabama and Rick Scott of Florida.
“Unlocking America's energy production not only plays a key role in protecting our national security, but is a pathway to reducing energy costs for families across the country,” Scott said in a statement she shares with the DCNF. “Relying on bad actors is definitely putting America last, not the first. Once President Trump takes office, we have energy independence and we will rule again.”
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