US House to Vote on Bill to Reverse Biden’s LNG Export Pause
Republican Opposition to Biden’s LNG Export Pause
Republican lawmakers are moving to reverse President Joe Biden’s pause on LNG export approvals. They plan to vote on a bill on Friday, aiming to transfer the approval authority from the Department of Energy to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Development of the Bill
The bill’s development predates Biden’s pause on LNG export approvals, which came into effect last month. The pause was initiated to review the environmental and economic impacts of the growing LNG business.
House Vote and Potential Impact
Representative Steve Scalise announced the upcoming vote, criticizing Biden’s policy as “ridiculous, crazy, and insane.” The bill aims to give the power to approve exports to the more independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, providing a potential recourse against the pause.
Senate Prospects and Democratic Response
The bill’s prospects in the Senate, controlled by Democrats, remain uncertain. Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat who opposes the pause, stated that he is not in favor of “taking anyone’s authority away.”
White House Defense
The White House defended the pause despite pressure from Democratic Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman. Biden’s senior climate adviser, John Podesta, emphasized the importance of considering the climate effects of expanding LNG, while also ensuring a stable domestic supply.
US as Top LNG Producer
The United States emerged as the world’s top LNG producer last year, solidifying its position in the global energy market.
Impact on Jobs and Political Response
Democratic Senators from gas-producing Pennsylvania have expressed concerns about potential job losses due to the pause, indicating their intent to push for a reversal if jobs are at risk.
