A senior official at the U.S. Department of Energy will defend President Joe Biden’s suspension of approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports Thursday at a Senate hearing convened by Democratic lawmakers, saying the president will investigate the decision. Then he said.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk will testify before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee at 9:30 a.m. ET in a hearing called by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of natural gas-producing West Virginia.
Manchin said that if the moratorium is “simply a political ploy to pander to climate activists at the expense of American workers, businesses, and allies in need, then I will end this moratorium immediately.” I will do my best to make it happen.”
White House halts major natural gas project, victory for environmentalists
Biden suspended approvals indefinitely so his administration could take a “hard look” at the burgeoning industry’s impact on the environment and economy.
The United States became the world’s largest LNG exporter last year, and already approved projects are expected to double shipments by the end of the decade.
Environmentalists and youth groups, a key part of Mr. Biden’s support base, have been pressuring him to delay approval of fossil fuel projects over concerns about greenhouse gas emissions. Domestic companies from chemicals, steel, food and agriculture also oppose unlimited exports of U.S. gas, saying it could raise fuel prices.
A drilling rig used to extract natural gas is seen in Washington Township, Houston, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Keith Slakočić, File)
It is unclear how opponents of the moratorium could overturn it. Legislation in both the House and Senate would strip the Department of Energy of its export approval authority and give all approvals to the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
But passing legislation in an election year is difficult. Even if it passes the House, the bill is likely to stall in the Democratic-led Senate.
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Benjamin Salisbury said, “Even if Congress was successful in intervening, an approach that would shift the review to FERC and deem exports in the public interest seems too strong for Democrats, and that they would not be able to find a compromise option with more opaque implications.” We believe that expression is likely to be used.” Analyst at Height Capital Markets.
