Biden Halts Major Natural Gas Projects Over Environmental Concerns

The Biden administration is halting the proposed project of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals over environmental concerns.

LNG export was reportedly to be used to help Europe and Asia meet increased energy demands since Russian oil has stopped being used.

Many Democrats and environmentalists are happy with the decisions.

The folks at Fox News share more:

The White House is halting the permitting process for several proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal projects over their potential impacts on climate change, an unprecedented move environmentalists have demanded in recent months.

In a joint announcement Friday morning, the White House and Department of Energy (DOE) said the pause would occur while federal officials conduct a rigorous environmental review assessing the projects’ carbon emissions, which could take more than a year to complete. Climate activists have loudly taken aim at LNG export projects in recent weeks, arguing they will lead to a large uptick in emissions and worsen global warming.

“As our exports increase, we must review export applications using the most comprehensive up-to-date analysis of the economic, environmental and national security considerations,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters on a press call. “This action includes a pause on pending applications for exports of U.S. natural gas as LNG to non-free trade agreement countries until the department can update the underlying analyses for authorizations.”

“The U.S. is committed to affordable energy and economic opportunities for all Americans. We are committed to strengthening energy security here in the U.S. and with our allies,” Granholm continued. “And we’re committed to protecting Americans against climate change as we lead the world into a clean energy future.”

ADVERTISEMENT

While it is unclear which proposed projects the action will affect, a senior administration official told reporters at least two have a larger capacity and two have a smaller capacity. Another official added that the pause implemented Friday will only impact projects that have gone through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) lengthy approval process and are ripe for DOE approval.

According to federal data updated this week, there are 11 projects that have been green-lit by FERC but are not yet under construction. An additional four projects are pending before FERC and two are in the pre-filing stage. Those six projects wouldn’t be impacted by the pause since they are not before DOE yet, but they would be impacted if approved by FERC.

This is terrible news for our European and Asian allies.

As stated previously, the war in Ukraine has posed many energy problems.

The United States could have helped with LNG production.

Not anymore.

The X user GeroDoc breaks it down nicely:

👇This is enormously consequential to the EU, particularly Germany – remember how the USA blew up the Nordstream pipeline? That was designed to deliver Russian gas exports to Germany & EU – then USA exporters were supposed to step in & deliver LNG to fill the gap.

Now what? https://t.co/nXoWsz3YUQ

— GeroDoc (@doc_gero) January 26, 2024

This next part is particularly interesting:

👇As an aside, a majority of currently operating or planned Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) terminals are in… guess where… Louisiana and… TEXAS.

The timing of this announcement from the Biden admin is not accidental https://t.co/ZYrd8TRlxo pic.twitter.com/UCR6gbq92B

— GeroDoc (@doc_gero) January 26, 2024

NBC News shares more:

“This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time,” he said. “While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my Administration will not be complacent. We will not cede to special interests.”

According to the White House, the U.S. is the top exporter of LNG worldwide, with roughly half of the exports last year going to Europe. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the pause “will not affect already authorized exports, nor will it impact our ability to supply our allies in Europe, Asia, or other recipients of already authorized exports.”

“We remain committed to ensuring our partners’ medium-term energy needs are met,” she added. “And if needed, the department can determine if exceptions should be made for national security needs.”

I believe it is nothing more than a PR stunt by the Biden administration to appeal to his voter base.

He knows that many Democrats have lost faith in him.

With this move, he can appeal to a problem that environmentalists have been trying to tackle for a while.