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  • LNG Export Ban Letter To POTUS 2.5.23

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    The members of Congress express concern over limiting US LNG exports. They argue that increased LNG exports are important for national security by reducing European reliance on Russian gas, bolstering the US economy and jobs, and advancing global emissions reductions goals by replacing dirtier Russian gas. The members urge the Biden administration to approve more LNG export licenses to achieve these strategic objectives.

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    LNG Export Ban Letter to POTUS 2.5.23

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    LNG Export Ban Letter to POTUS 2.5.23

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    The members of Congress express concern over limiting US LNG exports. They argue that increased LNG exports are important for national security by reducing European reliance on Russian gas, bolstering the US economy and jobs, and advancing global emissions reductions goals by replacing dirtier Russian gas. The members urge the Biden administration to approve more LNG export licenses to achieve these strategic objectives.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    41K views4 pages

    LNG Export Ban Letter To POTUS 2.5.23

    Uploaded by

    Nick Pope
    The members of Congress express concern over limiting US LNG exports. They argue that increased LNG exports are important for national security by reducing European reliance on Russian gas, bolstering the US economy and jobs, and advancing global emissions reductions goals by replacing dirtier Russian gas. The members urge the Biden administration to approve more LNG export licenses to achieve these strategic objectives.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 4

    February 5, 2024

    The Honorable Joseph Biden


    President of the United States
    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
    Washington, DC 20500

    Dear President Biden:

    We write to voice our concern with your Administration’s decision to limit the export of U.S. liquefied natural
    gas (LNG). The Department of Energy’s plan to change the criteria used to approve new LNG export projects
    threatens national security, the economy, and clean energy goals.

    The foremost concern with limiting LNG exports is the impact on our national security. The ongoing war in
    Ukraine has brought to light a concerning reliance on Russian gas across Europe. Since the start of the war,
    Europe has committed to phase out its dependency on Russian gas before the end of the decade. That is no easy
    task – as Russian gas accounted for more than 40% of the European Union’s gas supply in 20211. We were
    pleased to see your March 2022 pledge to help Europe achieve its goals of reducing dependence on Russian gas
    imports by delivering 50 billion cubic meters (bcm) of additional U.S. LNG to Europe through at least 20302.

    Europe has looked to U.S. LNG exporters to provide a stable supply of gas to the continent. Europe has almost
    tripled its import of U.S. LNG since 2021 — which has provided the region with price stability and security. As
    of November, 68% of U.S. LNG exports were to Europe3. This partnership allows Europe and the U.S. to
    counter Russian aggression and dependence and, in turn, makes the world a more stable place. U.S. LNG
    companies have entered long-term contracts with European countries to continue bolstering this partnership,
    and it is critical that the U.S. remains a lead exporter of LNG to fulfill the commitments made to our trade
    partners and allied countries. Even with these increased exports, however, Europe remained reliant on Russian
    imports to meet more than 10% of its natural gas demand in 20234. With forthcoming European Union
    sanctions expected to block all Russian gas imports, the importance of offsetting lost supplies will only grow.
    Moreover, global demand for natural gas is projected to grow for many years to come, as key allies in Japan,
    Korea, Southeast Asia, and India continue to grow their economies. Put simply, stability in the West depends on
    American energy exports.

    Not only is the export of LNG critical for our allies abroad, but it is also critical to our economy at home. U.S.
    LNG exports reached a record high in 2023—cementing our status as the top exporter in the world5. This
    1
    https://www.iea.org/countries/russia
    2
    FACT SHEET: United States and European Commission Announce Task Force to Reduce Europe’s Dependence on Russian Fossil
    Fuels | The White House
    3
    https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-was-top-lng-exporter-2023-hit-record-levels-2024-01-
    02/#:~:text=In%20November%2C%2068%25%20of%20U.S.,beginning%20of%20December%2C%20it%20reported.
    4
    https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russian-lng-exports-europe-fell-19-2023-lseg-data-2024-01-02/
    5
    https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=60361
    expanded market creates high-paying jobs for Americans, reduces our trade deficit, and bolsters our domestic
    economy. The U.S. natural gas industry supports more than 10 million American jobs, and indirectly generates
    an additional 3.7 jobs elsewhere in the U.S. economy for each direct job in the natural gas industry6. In 2021,
    the industry produced $909 billion in labor income – or 6.4% of the U.S. national labor income7. The industry
    also supported nearly $1.8 trillion in U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 20218. To hamstring an industry that
    provides millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in GDP would be blatantly against the public interest.

    Continued U.S. leadership in exporting LNG also furthers global emissions goals. Unlike the United States—
    where methane emissions are modest, regulated, and declining—Russia’s natural gas production facilities and
    distribution networks are old, largely unregulated, and leaky. A recent study from the Rocky Mountain Institute
    also shows that transporting gas through Russian pipelines is three times more climate intensive than shipping it
    from the U.S.9 Another 2019 Department of Energy report also found that the use of U.S. LNG exports for
    electricity generation that replaces existing sources in Europe and Asia would not increase greenhouse gas
    emissions. That same study shows that American LNG can be up to 30% cleaner than Russian natural gas10 and
    that if we do not fulfill the demand for LNG and let other countries like Russia control the markets, emissions
    will continue to rise. If the Biden administration is serious about addressing global climate goals — the easiest
    way to achieve those goals is to bolster U.S. LNG production and exportation.

    Natural gas production and U.S. LNG exports supply much-needed energy to our allies, sustain hundreds of
    thousands of jobs for Americans, and provide global environmental benefits. For these reasons, we urge you to
    direct the U.S. Department of Energy to issue U.S. LNG export licenses more rapidly rather than stop or pause
    the process.

    Thank you for your attention to these concerns, and we look forward to working with you in Congress to
    accomplish these shared objectives.

    Respectfully,

    Carol D. Miller Henry Cuellar


    Co-Chair, Congressional Energy Export Caucus Co-Chair, Congressional Energy Export Caucus

    Jodey Arrington J. Luis Correa


    Co-Chair, Congressional Energy Export Caucus Co-Chair, Congressional Energy Export Caucus

    6
    https://www.api.org/-/media/Files/Policy/American-Energy/PwC/2023/API-PWC-Economic-Impact-Report-2023.pdf
    7
    https://www.api.org/-/media/Files/Policy/American-Energy/PwC/2023/API-PWC-Economic-Impact-Report-2023.pdf
    8
    https://www.api.org/-/media/Files/Policy/American-Energy/PwC/2023/API-PWC-Economic-Impact-Report-2023.pdf
    9
    https://rmi.org/which-gas-will-europe-import-now-the-choice-matters-to-the-climate/
    10
    S. Roman-White, S. Rai, J. Littlefield, G. Cooney, T. J. Skone, "Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting Liquefied Natural
    Gas from the United States: 2019 Update," National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, September 12, 2019.
    August Pfluger Mary Sattler Peltola
    Member of Congress Member of Congress

    Guy Reschenthaler Vicente Gonzalez


    Member of Congress Member of Congress

    Dan Meuser Jared Golden


    Member of Congress Member of Congress

    Alex X. Mooney Jim Costa


    Member of Congress Member of Congress

    Jake LaTurner Marie Gluesenkamp Perez


    Member of Congress Member of Congress

    John Curtis Chuck Edwards


    Member of Congress Member of Congress

    Ben Cline Michael Cloud


    Member of Congress Member of Congress

    Clay Higgins John H. Rutherford


    Member of Congress Member of Congress
    Ken Calvert Rudy Yakym
    Member of Congress Member of Congress

    Beth Van Duyne


    Member of Congress

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