There may be significant consequences for American energy supremacy due to the decision by the Biden administration to halt the assessment process for LNG export facilities.
The White House has issued a halt order and has asked the DOE to consider the potential climate consequences of export terminal proposals before deciding whether or not to approve them. The ruling may cause cancellations or significant changes to the funding for the enormous infrastructure projects, but it does not eliminate the Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) project or any other LNG export facilities.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, new export terminals will further solidify the United States’ position as the world leader in natural gas exports, which was already established by the end of the first half of 2023. Everyone has been waiting for this announcement since last week, and it has finally arrived.
In a statement, Biden said that his government has temporarily halted the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pending decisions, save in cases of unexpected and urgent national security circumstances. During this time, he will examine the effects of LNG exports on energy prices, energy security in the United States, and environmental protection in great detail. Biden said his administration will not sit on its hands while the Americans are doomed to a hazardous future because the Republican National Committee refuses to acknowledge the seriousness of the climate catastrophe.
Biden said stopping the approval of new LNG projects recognizes the climate catastrophe for what it is: a grave danger to our survival.
A 25-year-old TikTok celebrity and members of the combative organization Climate Defiance were among the activists who allegedly visited with White House officials before the decision. As a result of the administration’s decision to approve ConocoPhillips’ Willow Project in Alaska last year, environmental activist organizations put pressure on Biden to reverse that decision. Biden will have strong support from young people and environmentalists in the 2024 presidential race.
