DENVER – Following President Biden’s recent decision to halt new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export licenses, Western Energy Alliance today called on the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the “Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act” (H.R. 7176). Lawmakers will debate the legislation introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) this week. The proposal would revoke export licensing from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which is the authority President Biden used to “pause” new exports, and grant exclusive regulatory authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
 
“In recent weeks, we’ve seen bipartisan pushback to Pres. Biden’s decision and strong support for exporting American LNG to our allies. It’s clear the president made an election-year calculation rather than one based on facts or public interest. Congress needs to step in to take corrective action,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance. “The fact that DOE retains authority today over export decisions is a relic of the 1938 Natural Gas Act. Federal licensing isn’t required for other commodities and is born of an outdated philosophy that natural gas must be conserved because of its scarcity. The words ‘American natural gas’ and ‘scarcity’ should never be said in the same sentence ever again, but that old-fashioned statute remains. By eliminating DOE from the equation, Congress can remove an outdated and unnecessary step to help ensure secure energy for our allies, further greenhouse gas reductions, and economic growth.”

HOUSTON -- Energy Workforce & Technology Council (EWTC) joined the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), US Oil and Gas Association (USOGA), National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Western Energy Alliance, and Gulf Energy Alliance today in urging Congress to take immediate legislative action to counter the Biden Administrations’ recent decision to halt LNG permits.
 
The legislation, “Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act,” was introduced by U.S. Congressman August Pfluger and seeks to place the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in charge of all LNG export permitting in the United States.