Energy

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Rep Looks To Take Politics Out Of Approving Key Energy Projects After Biden Admin Held Them Hostage

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Republican Texas Rep. August Pfluger introduced a new bill Thursday that would shift responsibility for approving liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects out of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) hands after the department unilaterally froze approvals for such projects for most of 2024 under Joe Biden’s administration.

Pfluger’s bill, titled the “Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act,” would change existing policy by giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to approve LNG export projects and removing that authority from DOE. A 2024 order under the Biden administration effectively froze LNG approvals in what critics said was an election year gift to the well-heeled green lobby. The same bill passed the House in February 2024 with support from GOP lawmakers and nine House Democrats.

“President Biden spent four years pandering to progressive climate extremists and restricted future energy exports instead of unleashing American energy production to provide our allies with a secure, affordable energy source. We finally have a President back in office who understands that having efficient, reliable, and affordable energy is the key to U.S. national security,” Pfluger said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF). “This legislation cuts the red tape by removing the Department of Energy’s export authorization requirement and streamlining the permitting process. Energy security is national security, and I thank Senator Scott for leading this bill in the Senate and look forward to pushing for its passage in both chambers.”

Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act by Nick Pope

FERC is an independent agency consisting of commissioners appointed by both political parties, concerning itself mostly with highly technical issues of energy regulation. The DOE, on the other hand, is a cabinet agency headed by a Senate-confirmed political appointee selected by the president, ostensibly making it more prone to be political than FERC.

Joining Pfluger as co-sponsors of the bill are Republican Reps. John Joyce of Pennsylvania, Julia Letlow of Louisiana, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, Roger Williams of Texas, Troy Balderson of Ohio, Craig Goldman of Texas, Randy Weber of Texas, Jodey Arrington of Texas, Dan Newhouse of Washington, Jake Ellzey of Texas, Pete Sessions of Texas, Brian Babin of Texas and John Carter of Texas.

A group of GOP senators, led by Tim Scott of South Carolina, are introducing a companion version of Pfluger’s bill in the senate on Thursday as well. Scott’s co-sponsors for the senate version are Republican Sens. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Ted Budd of North Carolina, Katie Britt of Alabama and Rick Scott of Florida.

“Unlocking American energy production not only plays a vital role in safeguarding our national security, but is the path to lowering energy costs for families across the nation,” Scott said in a statement shared with the DCNF. “Relying on bad actors undoubtedly puts America last, not first. With President Trump back in office, we will be energy independent and dominate once again.”