DAINES TAKES ON BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR DOWNPLAYING EFFECTS OF INDEFINITE PAUSE TO LNG EXPORTS
Hearing
"It’s been two and a half months since President Biden paused LNG exports in order to study their impacts. We are no closer to knowing when this pause will be lifted or if it ever will be lifted. If DOE follows the facts and looks at previously published reports, this study will come back the same as all the other previous studies, U.S. LNG exports build jobs and strengthen the economy, it reduces global emissions. I just met with the ambassador from Croatia. They’re just shocked around why the United States would pause LNG exports in the midst of war on the continent of Europe where Putin has weaponized LNG, weaponized natural gas. But I look no further than the White House website where the first quote in their press release lauds, and let me quote, “this Administration’s historic efforts to meet the global commitment to phase out fossil fuels.” Is LNG a fossil fuel?
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This is followed by the second quote, which features the hashtag “StopLNG.” So, Secretary Granholm, if this pause is truly about updating studies, then why do the majority of the quotes in the President’s own press release say, “StopLNG” and “phase out fossil fuels?”
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If you haven’t seen it, we’ll make sure you get it. This is a White House press release. You work for the President of the United States.
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But you know we’ve been exporting LNG since 2016. And DOE has done numerous studies since then, including one that showed that LNG exports to Europe have the lowest lifecycle emissions. So, what exactly is DOE looking for that hasn’t already been published?
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When will the study be completed?
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Around the end of the year. So what information could DOE find during the study that would cause you to deny all future export applications?
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I’d love to have you go see the White House’s own press release that says “phase out fossil fuels” because I don’t believe what you’re saying on prima facie. I think there is an ideology here that is clearly articulated in the White House’s own release. It says, “phase out fossil fuels,”“#StopLNG.” That doesn’t seem to be talking about pricing. That seems to be radical ideology on how to go to zero fossil fuels.
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As we’re watching Russia continue to destroy Ukraine, when our allies are pleading with us for more U.S. LNG.
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But Madam Secretary, with all due respect, the chilling message you send by pausing LNG permits is being heard around the world.
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So why couldn’t you do the study in parallel here instead of putting a pause on permits, because time is of the essence. We’re talking about a couple of permits. The message that’s sent, I will just tell you, maybe you’re talking to different allies than I’m talking to–
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I respectfully ask you to stop this highly political pause…
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…and get back to the mission of the Department of Energy.
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Well, I think you are yielding to the radical elements of the left. Go back to the White House press release that says, “stop fossil fuels”, “#StopLNG.” That doesn’t sound like a pause. That doesn’t sound like cost. That sounds like an ideology that wants to keep LNG from ever being shipped, anytime. That’s a radical ideology and it’s out of step with the American people. Thank you, Mr. Chairman."
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