Senators Call for Ending Pause on Pending LNG Export Permits

Four Republican senators urged the Biden administration March 18 to end its temporary pause on pending decisions for liquefied natural gas exports, saying the halt has created "serious doubts" among allies about the reliability of U.S. fuel supplies.

“It’s imperative that the U.S. sends a strong message to its allies that it can be a reliable LNG exporter,” the senators wrote in a letter to Climate Envoy John Podesta. “The administration’s decision does the opposite, as it will cede America’s influence in these markets, allowing countries like Russia, Qatar, and even Iran to fill the void and give them an unnecessary geopolitical advantage.”

The letter was led by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and co-signed by Sens. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.; Jim Risch, R-Idaho; and Roger Wicker, R-Miss.

The administration announced the pause in January (see 2401260070), saying it wants to review criteria for approving those projects, including the impact on climate change. The administration opposed a bill the House narrowly passed in February that would reverse the pause (see 2402140005 and 2402150065).