Biden hits pause on approvals of liquified natural gas exports
The Biden administration is pausing approvals of pending applications for liquefied natural gas exports to countries with which the U.S. does not have free trade agreements, citing environmental concerns related to climate change as a key reason for the move.
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is pausing approvals of pending applications for liquefied natural gas exports to countries with which the United States does not have free trade agreements, citing environmental concerns related to climate change as a key reason for the move.
While the temporary halt is in effect, the Energy Department is expected to evaluate and update the guidance used to make authorizations. The White House said in a fact sheet Friday that the economic and environmental analyses that the department currently uses are about five years old.
They "no longer adequately account for considerations like potential energy cost increases for American consumers and manufacturers beyond current authorizations or the latest assessment of the impact of greenhouse gas emissions," the White House said.
The pause allows for exceptions to be made for unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that his administration will take a "hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs" during this period as well as "America’s energy security, and our environment."
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