Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) have introduced the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act, a bill that aims to depoliticize the export of American liquefied natural gas (LNG). This bill eliminates the requirement for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to authorize LNG exports and instead gives sole authority over the approval process to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

The introduction of this legislation comes in response to President Biden's decision to pause approvals for pending applications for U.S. LNG exports. This decision has been seen as a major victory for both Vladimir Putin and far-left climate activists. Critics argue that the President's anti-energy stance is detrimental to American energy independence and will ultimately increase global reliance on countries like Russia.

Senator Britt voiced her concerns about the President's decision, stating, "Instead of strengthening U.S. energy security, President Biden has chosen to continue appeasing far-left Green New Deal enthusiasts by freezing new LNG project permits." She further warned that this move would weaken America's role as the leading exporter of LNG and diminish the country's energy dominance.

Senator Scott also criticized the President's actions, saying, "President Biden's move to halt American energy exports is pure politics. In fact, exporting U.S. natural gas would actually lower global emissions." He accused the President of bowing to the far-left and making the U.S. and its allies more reliant on foreign adversaries like Russia. Senator Scott emphasized the importance of unleashing America's natural resources to bolster energy independence and safeguard national security.

The bill, in addition to being sponsored by Senators Britt and Scott, has gained support from several other senators across party lines. The cosponsors include Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Senators Jacky Rosen (D-N.V.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-N.V.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Deb Fischer (R-Nebr.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebr.).

The Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act aims to address concerns about the politicization of LNG exports and restore the authority to the FERC. The bill, which can be found in its entirety on the official Senate website, seeks to safeguard American energy independence and promote the country's position as a leading global exporter of LNG.

This legislation represents a bipartisan effort to counter President Biden's approach to American energy exports and its potential negative impact on the country's energy dominance. The bill's sponsors and supporters argue that by depoliticizing LNG exports and allowing the FERC to have sole authority over the approval process, the U.S. can maintain its energy security, reduce global emissions, and decrease reliance on foreign adversaries.