Article Summary –
Louisiana, along with 15 other Republican-led states, has sued the Biden administration over its decision to temporarily halt the approval of new permits for facilities that export liquefied natural gas. The lawsuit argues that the Biden administration acted illegally and asserts that the pause would hurt state economies and restrict gas supplies from the US to Europe. The pause came after environmental activists argued that new gas export facilities and expansions would increase greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.
Louisiana and 15 other Republican-led States Sue Biden Administration
Louisiana along with 15 other Republican-dominated states initiated legal action against the Biden administration for the temporary hold on new permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities. The lawsuit alleges that the Biden administration illegally paused approvals to assess the impact of gas exports on climate change, the economy, and national security.
The Impact of the Pause on Natural Gas Export Permits
Filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, the lawsuit contends that the pause violates the regulatory process. Elizabeth B. Murrill, Louisiana’s attorney general, referred to the pause as a ban and argues that it could harm state economies and restrict U.S. gas supplies to Europe.
Despite the U.S. leading the world in natural gas exports, the pause casts doubt on any future expansion, even though the country’s export capacity is still expected to nearly double by 2027 due to already permitted projects.
Reactions to the Pause on New Export Permits
The pause, resulting from months of environmental protests, is perceived as locking in additional decades of greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, it has faced criticism from the oil industry, Republicans, and some Democrats, including Pennsylvania’s senators John Fetterman and Rob Casey, and Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia.
Considering the Impact of Gas on the Climate
John Podesta, Mr. Biden’s senior adviser on climate change, defends the pause, asserting that it is “prudent” for the government to study the impact of gas on the climate. While gas, primarily composed of methane, is cleaner than coal when burned, methane is a potent short-term greenhouse gas and can leak at various stages of the supply chain, contributing to emission levels.
The States Challenging the Pause
Joining Louisiana in challenging the pause are a diverse group of states including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Response to the Pause
These states argue that such a critical decision should have been subjected to a regulatory process allowing states, the industry, and others to offer public comments and influence the decision. They insist that the Natural Gas Act of 1938 compels the Energy Department’s secretary to issue an export license unless it is determined that the project is not in public interest.
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