Former pipeline worker Bugsy Allen joined ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss how the Biden administration has weakened the U.S. energy sector. A large coalition of more than 30 fossil fuel industry associations is raising the alarm over an expected White House decision to delay permitting for key natural gas export facilities over their potential climate impacts. The groups — including the American Petroleum Institute (API) and American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC) — penned a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, saying the actions would be a “major mistake,” harming U.S. jobs and putting allies at risk.
The concerns stem from President Biden’s reported order to conduct climate impact analyses for 17 proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal projects. The industry argues that the United States is the world leader in natural gas production and becoming the top exporter of LNG by 2023. They believe that the nation’s abundant supply of natural gas is a crucial geopolitical tool, providing energy security to U.S. allies and insulating American consumers from global instability.
However, environmentalists have called on the Biden administration to halt the natural gas projects, citing climate concerns. The New York Times reported that Biden would require a more rigorous environmental review process for the pending LNG export terminals, which has raised concerns among industry leaders. They argue that such a delay would bolster Russian influence, undermine American credibility, threaten American jobs, and hinder global climate progress.
Proponents of increased LNG exports highlight the importance of transitioning the world’s economy to natural gas reliance to meet decarbonization goals. They argue that without increased LNG, nations would rely more heavily on coal-fired power generation, which has a much larger carbon footprint. The industry also points out that the U.S. has led the world in carbon emissions reductions, thanks in large part to greater reliance on natural gas.
Among the projects affected by the delay is the Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) project, a proposed $10 billion LNG terminal in Louisiana. The facility, expected to be the largest export terminal of its kind in the nation, would significantly increase exports and contribute to global energy stability. The developer, Venture Global, expressed concerns that the leaked report about the delay could have a devastating impact on the entire U.S. LNG industry, creating uncertainty for allies who rely on U.S. LNG for their energy security.
The potential delay in natural gas export permits has sparked debates over the Biden administration’s energy policies, the global energy market, and the impact on climate change. Critics argue that the delay would hurt the climate and lead to increased emissions as the world would pivot to coal. They urge the administration to consider the economic and geopolitical consequences of such a decision.
Overall, the concerns raised by the fossil fuel industry and its allies highlight the complex challenges faced by the Biden administration in balancing climate goals, energy security, and economic stability. The decision on natural gas export permits will have far-reaching implications for the U.S. energy sector, global energy markets, and the fight against climate change.
