Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, along with Tim Scott and 15 Republican colleagues, has introduced the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act. This bill aims to depoliticize the export of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) by giving sole authority over the approval process to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), eliminating the need for authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The introduction of this legislation comes in response to President Biden's recent decision to pause approvals of pending applications for LNG exports. Cassidy believes that this decision is detrimental to American energy, workers, the environment, and the country's allies who rely on the U.S. for energy and economic security. He states, "Biden’s political freeze on LNG export permits hurts American energy, American workers, the environment, and our allies who depend upon us for their energy and economic security."

Senator Scott also criticizes President Biden's move, stating that exporting U.S. natural gas would actually lower global emissions. He believes that the President is bowing to the far-left and making the U.S. and its allies more dependent on foreign adversaries like Russia. Scott emphasizes the need to unleash America's abundant natural resources, bolster energy independence, and safeguard national security.

The bill introduced by Cassidy and Scott has garnered support from a number of Republican Senators, including Katie Britt, Ted Budd, Tom Cotton, Mike Crapo, Joni Ernst, Bill Hagerty, John Hoeven, John Kennedy, Markwayne Mullin, Pete Ricketts, Jim Risch, Mike Rounds, Rick Scott, Thom Tillis, and John Thune.

Cassidy and 25 of his Republican colleagues previously sent a letter to the Biden administration expressing their concerns about the freeze on LNG export permitting. They argue that this decision is a major blow to American energy independence and will ultimately increase global reliance on Russia and other bad actors around the world. European allies, in particular, who have turned to the U.S. for LNG following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now face the difficult choice of depriving their citizens of energy or funding Putin.

Cassidy has been actively involved in questioning the Department of Energy Deputy Secretary David Turk on the rumors surrounding the decision to halt LNG exports. He has consistently highlighted the energy, economic, environmental, and national security importance of U.S. LNG exports.

In summary, Senator Cassidy, along with Senator Scott and their Republican colleagues, are introducing the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act to address President Biden's decision to pause approvals for LNG exports. They argue that this decision negatively impacts American energy, workers, the environment, and the country's allies. The bill aims to give sole authority over the approval process to the FERC, eliminating the need for DOE authorization. The Senators believe that exporting U.S. natural gas would lower global emissions and increase energy independence while safeguarding national security.