Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) criticized President Biden's decision to suspend approvals for some natural gas export facilities, calling the announcement “senseless.”
“Once again, they have the far left and John Kerry, by the way, they can't wait until he leaves the White House, to promote policies that don't make any sense, but this time they don't actually have any form of policy. It doesn't even make sense,” Sullivan said. He told “Cats & Cosby” hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby.
His comments about Kerry, who is currently the US special envoy on climate change, followed reports that the former secretary of state would step down to help Biden's re-election campaign.
The White House said Friday that the current analysis used by the Energy Department to decide whether to allow liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports “adequately takes into account domestic energy costs and global warming emissions.” ” said he did not.
The administration has suspended pending decisions regarding export approvals to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the United States. The measure will remain in effect until the Department of Energy updates how it conducts the analysis.
Sullivan argued that the decision shuts down U.S. energy and harms workers and the environment. “Because transporting cleaner-burning U.S. natural gas to Asia and Europe actually reduces emissions.”
The Alaska senator also suggested it could force other countries to go to Russia for oil and gas resources. He said the decision would empower Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“They're essentially saying, 'Keep buying Russian gas,' because far-left extremists in America are telling Joe Biden what to do,” Sullivan said. “And he listens to them. It's crazy.”
In a written statement, Biden said climate change was a factor in the export suspension. He said the administration would “take a hard look” at the impact of exports and costs on America's “energy, security and environment.”
Senate Energy Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-Virginia) vowed to investigate the suspension of LNG exports, saying the decision was based on political considerations rather than facts.
European Union member states have criticized oil companies for using Europe as an “excuse” to continue expanding LNG exports during the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
