02.05.24

Hoeven Introduces Legislation to Reverse Biden Administration’s Halt of New LNG Exports

Legislation will Boost American Energy Independence

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, introduced legislation, led by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), to reverse the Biden administration’s ban on new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export authorizations. The Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act would eliminate the requirement for the Department of Energy (DOE) to authorize LNG exports and instead give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sole authority over the approval process.

The legislation comes after the Biden administration indefinitely halted approvals for new LNG export terminals while it reviews the DOE licensing process. Over the past decade, U.S. gas exports have more than quadrupled, making America the largest natural gas exporter in the world. With Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, U.S. allies in Europe have become increasingly reliant on U.S. LNG.

“The Biden administration continues to put its Green New Deal agenda over U.S. energy and national security,” said Hoeven. “Our legislation will help to boost American energy independence and reverse the Biden administration’s halt of new LNG exports. That’s not only good for U.S. consumers and our economy, but will enable the U.S. to continue to provide this valuable energy commodity to our friends and allies. Energy security is vital to our national security.” 

As a member of the Senate ENR Committee, Hoeven is also working to bring Biden administration officials before the committee to push back on their LNG export ban, and the committee will hold a hearing Thursday on this latest addition to the administration’s flawed Green New Deal policy.

In addition, the senator continues efforts to reverse the Biden administration’s ban on transporting LNG by rail. Hoeven has also sponsored legislation to streamline and set deadlines for multi-agency National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews of natural gas pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects needed to get energy to market. This legislation has been included in two comprehensive energy permitting reform bills – the Spur Permitting of Underdeveloped Resources (SPUR) Act, which Hoeven helped introduce and is sponsored by Senate ENR Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY), and H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representative last year.

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