Today, Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Representative August Pfluger (TX-11), Chair of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), released the following statements following passage of the Unlocking Our Domestic Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Potential Act of 2024. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Pfluger and passed by a bipartisan vote of 224 - 200.
“President Biden’s ban on future LNG export terminals is an ill-advised handout to extreme environmentalists at the expense of American workers that also jeopardizes our allies’ energy security,” said Chairman Newhouse. “This important legislation will end the President’s misguided, indefinite pause on LNG exports and remove political decisionmakers at the Department of Energy from the export terminal approval process. Thank you, Representative Pfluger, for leading this crucial legislation and congratulations on its passage.”
“President Biden’s ban on LNG exports is a grave national security risk for the United States and our allies in Europe,” said Rep. Pfluger. “This decision is yet again another ploy to cave to climate activists over our own energy security. My legislation will reverse this blockade and ensure the President cannot play politics with American energy.”
This legislation:
Repeals all restrictions on the import and export of natural gas.
Provides that FERC shall have the exclusive authority to approve or deny LNG terminal applications.
Makes clear that nothing in this section limits the authority of the President that imposes sanctions on a foreign person or foreign government, including a country that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to prohibit imports or exports.
