The House voted to approve a Republican-backed bill that would strip the Biden administration’s authority to issue permits for natural gas export projects.
The vote fell largely along party lines, with Republicans arguing it would boost domestic energy production and counter Biden’s recent pause on export permits amid an environmental review.
Supporters say LNG exports help lower domestic energy costs and European allies reduce reliance on Russia.
Rep. August Pfluger said, “Just last year, President Biden told the Europeans that they needed to get off Russian gas and that the U.S. would supply their liquid natural gas needs. Now that it is an election year, he is reneging on that deal to appease his radical climate base.”
“Two-thirds of the world’s natural gas is produced in four countries: Russia, Iran, the United States and Qatar. This effective ban on U.S. LNG exports is a gift to Putin and the Iranian regime that just killed three service members with their weapons to the Houthis,” he continued.
“I am proud to stand up for American jobs when the president seems to only stand up for the interests of Russia and Iran,” exclaimed the lawmaker.
Rep. Tom Emmer wrote in a statement, “Joe Biden would rather appease the radical environmentalists in his party than protect hardworking Americans. House Republicans will not stand idly by while the Biden administration’s Green New Deal agenda destroys American jobs, stifles American energy, and benefits our adversaries.”
However, Democrats and environmental groups oppose the bill, claiming it would increase global emissions and mainly benefit China, despite data showing most exports go elsewhere.
Marty Durbin, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute, said, “Allies and trading partners around the world rely on clean, reliable, and affordable U.S. natural gas for energy and economic security, and to advance environmental progress through emission reductions.”
“With Europe still relying on Russia for nearly 15% of its natural gas consumption, and global demand expected to increase for several decades, continued expansion of U.S. export capacity is essential to American interests,” continued the executive.
Democrat Rep. Frank Pallone said, “Make no mistake: if this bill ever became law, Americans would pay more for the gas that heats their homes and keeps their lights on. It is an affront to middle-class families who cannot afford to deal with more fossil fuel price volatility.”
The legislation now moves to the Senate while facing a potential presidential veto.
The White House said, “The Administration believes that the critical protections current law provides, which this legislation would repeal, should be retained to protect residential and industrial consumers and national and domestic energy security.”
The debate intertwines economic, national security and climate issues surrounding America’s role as a top global LNG supplier.
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