Biden is threatening jobs in Texas, Europe’s security At least the ‘pause’ on new LNG permits is a start

By John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy

President Joe Biden’s decision to freeze liquefied natural gas export permitting to non-free trade agreement countries — an action taken to appease left-wing climate activists — is disastrous policy no matter which way you cut it. LNG exports are critical to our energy, economic and national security while providing major environmental benefits.

Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine nearly two years ago, American LNG has served as a vital lifeline for countries in Europe and across the globe. In 2022 alone, European LNG imports increased by 60%. The U.S. met the majority of that demand, providing affordable and reliable energy to our friends and allies. Thanks to America’s energy producers, these countries have reduced their reliance on Russian natural gas and bolstered their energy security. Biden’s LNG freeze threatens to reverse that progress. It may force

European leaders to make an impossible decision: gamble on an unreliable supply of American LNG or prop up Putin’s war by switching to Russian gas to keep the lights on.

Dangerous conflicts are unfolding outside of Europe as well. Iran’s terrorist proxies are ramping up attacks in the Middle East and disrupting vital trade corridors. At the same time, tensions are escalating in the Indo-Pacific from Chinese aggression. Bottom line: This is

Jobs continues on A23

By Roishetta Ozane and Bekah Hinojosa

President Joe Biden announced that he will pause approval of most new authorizations for liquefied natural gas exports, including from CP2, an unprecedentedly massive export terminal proposed for Cameron Parish, La.

As lifelong residents of the Gulf Coast, we are filled with gratitude and hope that the Biden administration has taken this monumental first step toward justice. One of us, Roishetta Ozane, has witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that the proliferation of dirty fossil fuel facilities has had on her community’s health and safety. The other, Bekah Hinojosa, has been fighting for more than eight years to stop two LNG terminals proposed for South Texas.

Those two terminals, Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG, could still proceed under the Biden administration’s pause. But even so, that pause is very good news — and not just because these polluting facilities endanger the health of people who live near them.

The folly of LNG exports begins with their impact on the climate. We all know that burning fossil fuels is heating up Earth’s atmosphere, and that the consequence will be a nightmare of ever-escalating natural disasters — of hurricanes, floods, wildfires and droughts; and of resulting displacement, disease and death.

Cruelly, the predominantly Black, Latino, Indigenous and low

Pause continues on A23