The Biden administration’s recent report has dealt a significant blow to the natural-gas export industry, paving the way for a long and contentious fight over the future of US gas exports under President Donald Trump.
The rapid expansion of US natural-gas export ambitions is undeniable. The country became the world’s largest exporter of natural gas last year, with many new export terminals being built along the Gulf Coast. However, in January, the Biden administration paused permitting for new exports and started analyzing the industry’s economic, national-security, and climate impacts.
Now, the administration has released a report that suggests the economic, climate, and national-security arguments for natural-gas exporting don’t hold up. This report provides crucial evidence for LNG opponents to use in blocking proposed projects, making it likely that any future expansion of US gas exports will be met with fierce resistance.
As President Trump moves forward with plans to expand the country’s gas-export infrastructure, the outcome will have significant implications for the nation’s climate and energy policies. The Biden administration’s report has essentially written a playbook for LNG opponents, setting the stage for a lengthy and contentious battle over the future of US natural-gas exports.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2024/12/gas-lng-climate-trump/681041