Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC - Yesterday, sixteen attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the recently announced pause on approvals of new gas exports, known as LNG. The temporary pause is in place to give the Department of Energy time to update the outdated studies it uses to determine the environmental and economic impacts of increasing LNG exports, something the agency is required to do under the Natural Gas Act.
Despite claims by the attorneys general involved in the lawsuit, the pause only applies to proposed LNG projects that have not yet received permits from DOE. Facilities already in operation or under construction that already have export permits are not directly affected.
Gas exports harm the climate, pollute communities, disrupt the livelihoods of fishermen and others dependent on local ecosystems, and drive up domestic energy prices. Yet, DOE has never denied an export application for being contrary to the public interest.
In response, Sierra Club Senior Attorney Nathan Matthews said:
“This lawsuit is misguided and lacks understanding of what the pause actually is. The US is the world’s largest exporter of LNG, and this pause does nothing to disrupt the already massive amount of US-sourced methane gas being sent all over the world, regardless of the destination or the harm these exports have on Gulf South communities and domestic energy consumers. The federal government is simply evaluating whether or not new and expanded gas exports are in the public interest, as required, and it’s hard to imagine how anyone who doesn’t prioritize polluter profits over people would object to that.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.