New House Bill Would Increase Scrutiny of LNG Export Projects
Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., introduced a bill last week to require the Energy Department to examine the impact on climate change and other factors when considering permits for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals.
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Under Casten’s bill, the LNG Public Interest Determination Act, DOE could not grant a permit until it determined that a new terminal would not fuel climate change, raise consumer energy prices, or cause health or environmental harm in local communities.
“Unfortunately, it’s not clear whether these factors are currently considered when determining whether a new LNG export terminal is in the national interest,” Casten said. “The LNG Public Interest Determination Act remedies this.”
His bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Biden administration in January announced a temporary pause on pending decisions for LNG exports, saying it wanted to review criteria for approving those projects, including the impact on climate change (see 2401260070). But the incoming Trump administration favors easing restrictions on American energy production and could end the pause and the criteria review when it takes office in two months (see 2411140025).