How Will Biden's Pause on Natural Gas Export Approvals Impact Politics and Business?
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The Energy Department said it would pause approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals on Friday, drawing applause from Democrats and environmental activists but criticism from Republicans and industry groups.
The Details: The pause would impact pending decisions on exports to countries with which the U.S. does not have a free trade agreement, a White House fact sheet said. During the pause, the administration will review the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America's energy security, and the environment. The decision came after pressure from environmentalists, congressional Democrats, and communities near the proposed export terminals, who feared LNG exports could stimulate a significant increase in emissions contributing to climate change.
For Context: The move is a departure from previous presidents, including President Barack Obama, who pursued an aggressive natural gas exports policy. At that time, it was believed that natural gas could serve as a "bridge fuel" transitioning the U.S. power system from coal to renewables.
How the Media Covered It: Several outlets published analyses of the pause’s broader implications on Monday; some opinions published by left-rated outlets praised the decision, and some from the right opposed it. Both Axios (Lean Left bias) and the Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) noted “risks” or “uncertainty” fueled by the pause, impacting both politics and business. Axios noted that the pause would not stop an expected boom in natural gas exports, thanks to projects currently under construction.
This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Biden's LNG pause tees up pre-election risks
President Biden jolted the energy and climate worlds by pausing liquefied natural gas export approvals, and in doing so stirred up several political and business risks ahead of the 2024 election.
The big picture: The Energy Department announced on Friday it would freeze new permits as officials reassess the climate, energy security and market effects.
Why it matters: The decision has already become part of Trump vs. Biden, the sequel. On Friday, the former president and presumptive GOP nominee released a statement bashing the decision.
Donald Trump also vowed to approve new projects "on my very first...
From the Center
Biden’s LNG Dilemma: Please Voters or Expand as Exporter
A study from Cornell University released last November suggested that LNG is worse for the climate than coal. Little did anyone know at the time that this study would put the U.S. federal government in a dilemma at a time when the country leads the world in LNG exports.
The nature of the dilemma is of the sort that could put a quick end to that leadership. Either that or cost the Democrats some votes from environmentalists.
The study that created the dilemma was authored by Cornell biogeochemist and ecosystem...
From the Right
Biden’s LNG export project pause: Winners and losers
President Joe Biden’s pause on approvals for pending liquefied natural gas export terminals Friday was met with deeply divided responses, earning praise from Democrats and environmental groups while sparking fierce backlash from Republicans and industry groups.
Biden, for his part, said in a statement that the pause “sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time.”
Here’s an early look at the winners and losers from the project pause:
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