Unlocking our nation's domestic energy potential

The United States produces the cleanest and safest energy in the world from traditional resources like oil and natural gas as well as from emerging resources and innovative technologies. This is something we should be celebrating, but instead, President Biden has waged an unprecedented war on American energy producers since taking office, which has caused our energy prices to skyrocket in order to appease the extreme climate lobby.

On January 26, 2024, President Biden announced he will pause all pending approvals of liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminals under the guise of climate change. However, this decision does nothing but create uncertainty and discourages investments that would otherwise create jobs and expand our supply of domestic natural gas. Worst of all, it goes against its intended goal. By shutting down our LNG exports, we are giving way to Russia to produce more natural gas in a much less environmentally friendly way.

Clean natural gas is a significant reason why the U.S has been able to reduce its emissions more than any other nation, and the Department of Energy (DOE) has already commissioned five studies to examine the effects of LNG exports in the U.S. Their findings have overwhelmingly shown the environmental benefits, proving that our exports are 41% cleaner than the alternative — Russian natural gas delivered to Europe.

The United States is positioned to support our allies in Europe who are looking to end their reliance on Russian natural gas, but the Biden Administration seems determined to give Vladimir Putin the gift of our passiveness. The decision to deny future LNG export permits is yet another assault on American energy production that jeopardizes our national security and global energy markets. The indefinite ban has already disrupted the global energy markets and has sent our allies a signal that the United States is no longer a dependable energy trading partner. Is this the message the Biden Administration wants to send to the international community in times of such uncertainty?

This lack of forward thinking is unacceptable, which is why I strongly support H.R. 7176, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act. The bill would effectively lift all restrictions on the import and export of natural gas, with strong protections to prohibit trade with a person or foreign country under sanction or listed as a state sponsor of terrorism. It is imperative that we support the safe and responsible development of our own domestic energy portfolio to protect our national security interests and lower energy costs for all Americans.

Simply put, domestic natural gas prices are lower and more stable when we have free trade and open markets, and this decision to ban exports does nothing but discourage the creation of jobs and drive those prices up. If we were to prioritize an all-of-the-above approach to American energy, we would increase LNG exports, adding as much as $73 billion to our economy and creating upwards of 453,000 jobs for Americans by the year 2040.

Whether it’s canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline, halting future LNG export terminal permits, or revoking leases for oil, gas, and mining across the West, it is clear that President Biden’s policies have given Russia and OPEC a greater advantage than domestic producers. Central Washingtonians deserve affordable and reliable energy, and I encourage the Biden Administration to listen to those of us whose districts lead the country in clean, reliable energy production.