Government officials announced January 26 that they would be pausing the federal approval of numerous pending liquified natural gas (LNG) export projects as the Biden administration launches a broad review into the increase of U.S. gas exports to other countries.
According to CNN, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi said a recent boom in U.S. LNG exports prompted the need for an analysis of the entire domestic market, the U.S. gas industry’s first review since 2018.
The pause is expected to affect four pending projects. However, the eight other LNG projects that have already been approved by the Biden administration will not be impacted by the approval freeze.
“The pause will not affect already authorized exports, nor will it impact our ability to supply our allies in Europe, Asia or other recipients of already authorized exports,” said Granholm.
Granholm and Zaidi said that the review would inspect several market factors, including fracking and whether or not U.S. producers are sending too much natural gas overseas rather than using it domestically to help power the country’s electric grid.
President Joe Biden linked the pause to the ongoing climate crisis, which has caused more extreme weather and a rise in global temperatures.
“This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time,” Biden said. “During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America’s energy security, and our environment. While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my Administration will not be complacent. We will not cede to special interests.”
