House Republicans grilled Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Thursday on the Biden administration’s pause on liquefied natural gas exports and accused the administration of halting new LNG permits for political gain.
President Biden paused new permits for LNG exports in January, a move that raised the alarm in the oil and gas industry that it could harm ongoing LNG projects.
America has become a major exporter of LNG in recent years, particularly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Rep. Pat Fallon, Texas Republican, said that he was perplexed that the U.S. would pause natural gas exports when other countries such as China and Russia have not made the same commitment to cleaner energy sources.
By pausing natural gas exports, he said, Mr. Biden was “giving a gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I bet you it’s going to resume magically right after the November elections,” Mr. Fallon told Ms. Granholm at the Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing.
When the pause was announced, the Energy Department said it needed to assess how to better factor climate change into the permitting process.
Critics said the moratorium hurts the public interest because it could damage the economy and oil and gas industry, and weaken America’s energy independence.
In a testy exchange at Thursday’s hearing, Rep. Clay Higgins said that, under the Natural Gas Act, the Energy Department has to issue permits unless the agency finds that issuing permits is not in the public interest
“How can you pause permits and approvals if you have not determined that exporting LNG is or is not in the public interest,” said Mr. Higgins, Louisiana Republican.
Ms. Granholm said that the point of the assessment, which is slated to wrap up early next year, was to find out whether exporting natural gas to foreign countries was in the public interest.
She added that the pause has “absolutely no impact” on any exports that are happening now.
“This pause only applies to new ones coming down the pike,” Ms. Granholm said. “Everybody who’s exporting now, everybody who’s under construction, everybody who’s authorized who doesn’t have a final investment decision, all can proceed.”
She continued, “We are the biggest exporter. We will continue exporting. It will not affect the jobs.”
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.