Following the Biden administration’s recent pause of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals while it conducts permitting process reviews, U.S. Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) led seven of her colleagues in urging congressional leaders to ensure federal funds aren’t used to minimize those LNG exports.
The lawmakers requested that the final fiscal year 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Act include bill language prohibiting funds from being used to modify, alter, or change the public interest review standards or permitting and approval procedures for the export of LNG, according to a Feb. 22 letter they sent to leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
Specifically, they support this language being included in the final bill: “No funds made available by this act may be used to modify, alter, or change the public interest review standards or permitting and approval procedures for the export of liquefied natural gas under Sec. 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938,” according to their letter.
Among the lawmakers who joined Rep. Miller in signing the letter were U.S. Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX).
The members pointed out that since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, America’s European allies have nearly tripled their imports of U.S. LNG while significantly reducing their reliance on Russian natural gas, their letter says.
“This has cemented the United States’ status as the top exporter of LNG in the world,” wrote Rep. Miller and her colleagues. “The U.S. natural gas industry supports more than 10 million American jobs and supported nearly $1.8 trillion in U.S. gross domestic product in 2021.
“The Department of Energy has also confirmed that American LNG is up to 30 percent cleaner than Russian natural gas, and if we do not fulfill the demand for LNG and let other countries like Russia control the markets, emissions will continue to rise,” they added.
Rep. Miller and her fellow lawmakers noted they look forward to working with congressional leaders to defend America’s allies and partners, support the nation’s economy, and work toward reducing global emissions.