Boise City Wire

Washington - A group of Republican senators, led by U.S. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, recently delivered a letter to President Biden's Climate Envoy John Podesta urging the immediate reversal of the Biden Administration's ban on new LNG exports. The senators emphasized the importance of ensuring a reliable fuel supply to allied nations, especially during times of global uncertainty.

In the letter, the senators expressed their concerns about the implications of halting LNG exports to non-Free Trade Agreement countries, citing the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East and Asia. They highlighted the critical role that LNG exports play in bolstering national security and foreign policy interests, urging the administration to reconsider its decision.

The senators pointed out that the Natural Gas Act requires the evaluation of LNG export authorizations in the public interest, especially considering the projected increase in global LNG demand. They underscored the significance of U.S. LNG exports in providing a secure energy source to allies, reducing dependency on potentially unstable regions, and supporting domestic job growth.

Furthermore, the senators refuted claims that American natural gas exports are detrimental to the environment, highlighting the cleaner nature of American natural gas compared to other sources. They emphasized the economic benefits of LNG exports, both in terms of job creation and trade surplus, urging the administration to prioritize supporting domestic jobs and allies abroad.

The senators' letter, delivered at CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, serves as a plea to the White House to reconsider the ban on new LNG exports and to reaffirm the United States' commitment to being a reliable LNG exporter in the global market.