Energy Department will study effects on climate, economy

Liquefied natural gas export license applications await review

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The Biden administration said Friday morning it would pause approvals for liquefied natural gas export terminals — possibly until after the November presidential election — citing a need to better assess climate and economic considerations of pending licenses.

A Louisiana terminal opposed by environmentalists won’t be affected, administration officials said, contradicting other reports.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), whose state is a big LNG exporter, had called the expected decision “shortsighted” and “absurd.” His colleague, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), had sent the Department of Energy a letter earlier this month warning against any new red tape.

Europe has been relying on LNG imports to make up for lost Russian supplies. Europe imported roughly 10 percent of its natural gas from Russia in late 2023, down from about 40 percent in 2021.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski , said, “I can’t even pretend to understand the calculus in an administration that would trade away our energy security and think that that helps us as a country.”