The White House has announced that the United States will temporarily suspend pending decisions regarding the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) due to climate policy considerations.
According to the statement signed by President
Joe Biden and released on Friday, during the suspension period, the US administration will review the impacts of LNG exports on energy prices, US energy security, and the environment. The presidential statement explains the pause in issuing new LNG licenses as a response to what is described as the existential threat of the climate crisis facing the contemporary era.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm mentioned that the suspension affects export requests from countries with which the United States does not have free trade agreements.
The White House's climate policy advisor detailed the decision affecting LNG shipments stating that the suspension pertains to the authorization of new LNG facilities, which would double the current shipping capacity. The advisor highlighted that the government review will focus on the effects of this expansion. Ali Zaid made further comments on European LNG shipments, expressing that, the United States is capable of being a strong partner to its allies through the current and under-construction shipping capacities.
He shared that in 2022 the United States supplied Europe with 56 billion cubic meters of LNG instead of the planned 37 billion cubic meters, and anticipates supplying 65 billion cubic meters in 2023, exceeding the preliminary agreement figure of 50 billion.
Regarding the background of the suspension decision, he added that the United States is committed to operating a net-zero emissions economy by mid-century, i.e., by 2050, and aims to be halfway to achieving this goal by 2030. He also noted the renaissance of advanced nuclear technologies in the United States as part of this commitment, according to the White House climate policy advisor.