In an unprecedented step that marks a departure from nearly a decade of policy, the Biden administration has put the brakes on the issuing of new permits for building liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals. This move has caused a stir among environmentalists, industry representatives, and political figures alike, signaling a potentially significant shift in the United States’ approach to energy exports and climate change.
Joe Biden’s administration has declared a pause on all pending export permits for LNG until the Department of Energy can devise updated approval criteria that consider the impact of climate change. This decision could last well beyond the upcoming presidential election and could jeopardize the future of over a dozen gas export terminals planned along the Gulf of Mexico coast. In light of the pause, the president stated that this allows the administration to “take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America’s energy security, and our environment.”
The temporary halt, according to the White House, will not affect current export agreements or the United States’ capability to supply natural gas to allies, with exceptions possible for “unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies.”
Environmental advocates have cheered the decision, viewing it as a significant victory for communities near proposed LNG facilities, often disproportionately affected by pollution and other environmental hazards. The move is hailed as a step towards acknowledging the urgency of the climate crisis, which has been sidelined in routine decisions concerning oil and gas projects for years.
The LNG sector’s proponents, particularly those affiliated with the oil and gas industry, have voiced their opposition, claiming that the pause could undermine U.S. geopolitical and climate goals. The industry has warned that restricting LNG exports could bolster Russian influence and risk American jobs, while also hindering the administration’s own climate goals by limiting the replacement of more carbon-intensive fuels.
Supporting the decision, activists and local residents have pressured the administration, pointing out the potential contribution to global heating and the direct pollution suffered by surrounding communities from rapid LNG exports growth.
Furthermore, the pause’s significance is underscored by the potential scale of the environmental impact: if all proposed LNG projects are realized and gas is shipped overseas, it could result in 3.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the entire emissions of the European Union.
Relevant articles:
– Joe Biden just did the rarest thing in US politics: he stood up to the oil industry
– Biden hits pause on natural gas projects amid plans for carbon ‘mega bombs’, The Guardian US, Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– Biden administration to temporarily halt some export approvals for liquified natural gas, Louisana Illuminator, Fri, 26 Jan 2024 11:03:56 GMT
– Biden hits pause on approvals of liquified natural gas exports, NBC News, Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT