An adviser to President Joe Biden said this week that the White House would have all options on the table regarding the future of natural gas, including the possible end of exports. The comment by White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi came after the administration halted permitting on an unknown number of liquefied natural gas export facilities.
Zaidi said that the recent decision by Biden to limit the export approvals was “very clearly from the president’s incredibly strong leadership on climate change.”
The adviser was then asked about whether or not the country would consider a complete ban on liquefied natural gas exports. Zaidi said that the administration would “follow the facts.”
Zaidi said that Biden had “reversed rollbacks that undermined our public health, our environment and our energy security.” He also said that the president had been “unafraid to follow the facts, dedicated to listening to the science and frontline communities.”
The Biden administration announced last week that it was halting the permitting for several natural gas export facilities, bending to pressure from environmental activists.
The decision by the White House and Department of Energy (DOE) included consideration regarding possible climate change effects caused by the proposed facilities.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said that the country had to “review export applications using the most comprehensive up-to-date analysis of the economic, environmental and national security considerations.”
“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,” she said.
It is unclear how many projects would be affected. There are 11 projects currently before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for regulatory approval.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) called the move “an attack on America’s economy and America’s allies.” He also called it a “boost” for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Biden halting LNG export projects is an attack on America’s economy and America’s allies. It’s a boost for Putin.
The Biden Administration is beholden to the progressive climate elitists.
Energy security = national security! https://t.co/U44y5r7nAV
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) January 27, 2024
Stuebe said that the Biden administration was “beholden to the progressive climate elitists.”
