Today, Earthjustice and more than 65 climate and environmental organizations expressed strong support for President Biden’s liquefied methane gas (otherwise known as liquefied natural gas, or LNG) export approval pause and urged Congress not to accelerate the expansion of LNG infrastructure. The letter calls for a rejection of the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act, a House bill that would remove the Department of Energy’s (DOE) legal obligation to assess the full impacts of LNG expansion on the economy, consumer energy costs, the climate, and local communities.

After the release of the letter, Auburn Bell, Earthjustice Legislative Representative for Climate and Energy, issued the following statement:

“Hamstringing DOE to lock the U.S. and the world into decades of more fossil fuel extraction and expansion goes against scientific consensus, perpetuates environmental injustices at the frontlines of gas infrastructure, and raises energy prices for everyone. DOE should retain its authority to make public interest determinations for LNG exports in a transparent, consistent, and scientifically sound way that is also in line with the administration’s environmental justice policies.

“Members of Congress must not step in the way of commonsense updates to DOE’s criteria for reviewing LNG exports. At this late stage in the climate crisis, we cannot afford to write a blank check to LNG developers by weakening laws and regulations that protect communities and the world from the negative impacts of LNG exports.”