MADISONVILLE, La. – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), Ranking member of the Senate Energy and Water Subcommittee on Appropriations, Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and colleagues urged the Biden administration to reverse its decision to pause permitting for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities in the U.S.

The Biden administration announced the pause on Jan. 26, 2024, threatening America’s industry and national security interests with dubious environmental justification. Louisiana’s Calcasieu Pass 2 project is among the 17 proposed LNG terminals frozen by this decision.

“American LNG exports have enhanced our geopolitical influence and international energy security across the board since 2016. In addition to Europe, U.S. LNG has a significant impact on energy security in Asia,” the senators wrote.

“Limiting U.S. LNG exports does not have any impact on the world’s demand for natural gas. Instead, countries including Russia and Iran will simply produce more energy that is subject to less stringent environmental regulations. As a result, limiting American LNG exports in the name of stopping climate change could do just the opposite and add to global emissions,” the lawmakers explained.

“According to an ICF study, increased exports of U.S. LNG could create more than 450,000 jobs and increase GDP by $73 billion. Given the recent growth in the domestic LNG industry, those benefits could be even greater today and in the future,” they continued.

“We strongly urge you to stop this shortsighted effort. As the President of the United States and as the Secretary of Energy, you should be championing—not undermining—American LNG exports and the environmental, economic, and national security benefits to the United States and our allies,” the senators concluded.

 Background: 

• Louisiana’s LNG export terminals account for 63% of all U.S. LNG exports.

• The LNG industry employs 18,000 people in Louisiana and contributes $4.4 billion to the state’s economy.

• On Jan. 18, 2024, Kennedy authored a separate letter warning Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm of the adverse effects of limiting LNG exports through unnecessary permitting burdens.

The full letter is available here.