Washington. D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the Department of Energy (DOE) released its anti-liquefied natural gas (LNG) study, which aims to hamstring the incoming Presidential administration. 

“Let’s call this ‘study’ what it is: A clear attempt to cement Joe Biden’s rush-to-green agenda. The administration’s de facto ban on LNG exports and this rushed climate driven study are politically motivated decisions to appease radical environmental activists. This is unacceptable. By trying to shut down American LNG, DOE is threatening hardworking Americans’ jobs and economic development, weakening the energy security of our allies, and strengthening our adversaries. That’s why House Republicans are committed to reversing this ban and unleashing America's abundant natural gas resources to help lower costs across the board.” 

BACKGROUND: 

January 26, 2024: The Biden administration announces indefinite “pause” on LNG export permits. Chair Rodgers immediately rebukes the decision, calling it a “gift to Putin.” 

February 5, 2024: More than 150 House Republicans demand President Biden ends his de facto ban on American LNG exports. 

February 15, 2024: E&C Republicans lead bipartisan passage of H.R. 7176 to reverse President Biden’s LNG export ban. 

April 8, 2024: The Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security holds a field hearing in Port Arthur, Texas, with local leaders and energy workers to highlight the economic and public benefits of American energy production, including job creation. 

November 7, 2024: Bloomberg Law reports that the “Biden administration is racing to complete a study that could complicate President-Elect Donald Trump’s plan to immediately approve new liquefied natural gas export terminals.” 

November 15, 2024: E&C Republicans send a letter to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm demanding the agency stop rushing to prematurely release its anti-liquefied natural gas (LNG) study.

• KEY LETTER EXCERPTS: DOE has studied the macroeconomic impacts and environmental effects of LNG exports since 2012, examining a wide range of export scenarios and publishing a series of reports that consistently find that LNG exports serve the U.S. public interest. DOE has also already clarified the scope of the required analysis, excluding the global environmental impacts of production and consumption of LNG. DOE correctly determined that upstream and downstream activities of LNG exportation are not within the scope of DOE’s environmental review.  
• Despite DOE’s prior findings and published reviews in favor of U.S. LNG exports, and contrary to DOE’s limited statutory authority under the NGA, the Biden administration’s DOE announced that it would expand its environmental review as part of a “managed transition” to reduce use of fossil fuels. Recent press reports indicate that DOE is racing to complete a study on the climate impacts of LNG exports to hamper the incoming Republican administration and provide opportunities to challenge future project approvals in court.