Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) have written a joint op-ed in the Houston Chronicle expressing their concerns about President Biden's decision to freeze liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permitting to non-free trade agreement countries. The senators argue that this decision, made to appease left-wing climate activists, will have devastating impacts on the economy, the environment, and national security.

The senators highlight the importance of LNG exports to energy, economic, and national security, as well as the major environmental benefits they provide. They point out that since Russian troops invaded Ukraine two years ago, American LNG has been a vital lifeline for countries in Europe and across the globe. In 2022 alone, European LNG imports increased by 60%, with the majority of that demand being met by the U.S. This has helped reduce their reliance on Russian natural gas and strengthen their energy security. However, the senators argue that Biden's LNG freeze threatens to reverse this progress and force European leaders to make a difficult choice between an unreliable supply of American LNG or switching to Russian gas.

The senators also highlight the dangerous conflicts unfolding outside of Europe, such as Iran's terrorist proxies ramping up attacks in the Middle East and tensions escalating in the Indo-Pacific due to Chinese aggression. They argue that this is the worst time to jeopardize economic and national security.

Furthermore, the senators stress that LNG exports are uniquely suited to help decrease global emissions. They point out that the shift to natural gas for electricity generation in the U.S. has significantly reduced emissions. They argue that American LNG has lower emissions compared to other options like Russian gas or coal.

The senators criticize Biden's decision to halt new LNG export projects, stating that it will bolster hostile nations, line the pockets of dictators, and increase global emissions. They emphasize the economic impact of the decision, noting that nearly 95% of domestically produced LNG was exported from Louisiana and Texas in September 2023. The oil and natural gas industry employs millions of Americans and supports millions of jobs. They argue that the decision to halt new LNG projects will have a chilling effect on new investments and job growth.

The senators question why Biden is prioritizing the demands of uninformed climate activists over the security needs of the country. They conclude by stating that the freeze is a war on American energy, American workers, allies, and America's national security.

In addition to the op-ed, Cassidy has led 25 of his Republican colleagues in sending a letter criticizing the decision to freeze LNG export permitting. He has also introduced the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act, which aims to depoliticize the export of American LNG.

The concerns raised by Senators Cassidy and Cornyn highlight the potential negative consequences of Biden's decision to freeze LNG export permitting. The economic, environmental, and national security impacts are significant, and the senators argue that the decision could have far-reaching effects on job growth, the economy, and the security of the U.S. and its allies.