US President Joe Biden has imposed a halt on building new natural gas export terminals, citing climate ‘threat’.
Biden wrote in a statement that the halt on liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal approvals reflects “what the climate crisis truly is: an existential threat.” He expressed disdain towards “MAGA” (Make America Great Again, Donald Trump's campaign slogan. ed. note) Republicans who deny the urgency of the climate crisis, pledging that his administration will not remain idle nor succumb to specific interests.
Driven by the surge in shale gas production, the US holds the title of the world’s top LNG exporter, according to data released by international organisation Cedigaz for the first half of 2023.
Seven LNG export terminals already operate in the US, providing around 328 million cubic metres per day, as reported by the US Energy Information Agency (EIA). US Energy Minister Jennifer Granholm stated that no new export permits will be issued until the Department of Energy (DOE) updates its analysis of each project.
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In the short term, four applications currently under review by the DOE will be affected by this suspension. Additional projects are underway but have yet to be submitted to the ministry and will not be presented during the moratorium.
In its current state, the proposed new terminals were expected to elevate US export capacity to 1.35 billion cubic metres per day, Granholm stated. Last year, roughly half of LNG exports went to Europe, according to the White House. Granholm gave assurances that this will not affect supplies for US allies in Europe and elsewhere.
Political commentators called the decision a "savvy" step by Biden to win over younger voters who have serious concerns about climate change
