Should Congress limit federal oversight over natural gas production?

Environment and Energy
To Repeal Restrictions on the Export and Import of Natural Gas (H.R. 7176)
This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

H.R. 7176 seeks to limit the Department of Energy’s oversight of natural gas by transferring such authority to the politically independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This comes in response to DOE efforts to reduce the mining of natural gas and shift focus towards more environmentally-conscious energy methods, which critics claim is inhibiting American energy independence and contributing to higher energy costs. Sponsor: Rep. August Pfluger (Republican, Texas, District 11)
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Opponents say

•      "World leaders agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at the COP28 climate negotiations last year and President Biden’s decision today to pause new permits for LNG exports shows that he is taking that pledge seriously. If we want to enhance energy security, create jobs, and prevent environmental injustice, we should be making investments in cheaper, readily available renewable energy, not dirty and damaging fossil fuels." Source: Al Gore, former Vice President 


•      "President Biden and Secretary Granholm’s bold step today continues this administration’s historic efforts to meet the global commitment to phase out fossil fuels and confront the climate crisis head on. This decision is a major win for communities and advocates that have long spoken out about the dangers of LNG, and makes it clear that the Biden administration is listening to the calls to break America’s reliance on dirty fossil fuels and secure a livable future for us all." Source: Ben Jealous, Sierra Club Executive Director 


•      "Oil and natural gas operations are the nation’s largest industrial source of methane, a climate ‘super pollutant’ that is many times more potent than carbon dioxide and is responsible for approximately one third of the warming from greenhouse gases occurring today. Sharp cuts in methane emissions are among the most critical actions the United States can take in the short term to slow the rate of climate change. EPA’s final rule leverages the latest cost-effective, innovative technologies and proven solutions to prevent an estimated 58 million tons of methane emissions from 2024 to 2038, the equivalent of 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide – nearly as much as all the carbon dioxide emitted by the power sector in 2021." Source: US Environmental Protection Agency

Proponents say

•      "President Biden’s drastic LNG export ban directly impacts Southeast Texas and will put Port Arthur and Golden Pass LNG projects on hold. This reckless and overtly political decision will cost our community thousands of jobs and hurt our local economy, all in the name of radical environmental activists that are hellbent on shutting down American energy. Southeast Texas is uniquely placed on the coast, full of refineries and ports to ship our precious oil and gas to our allies across the world. The Sabine-Neches Waterway is projected to become the largest LNG exporter in the United States, but President Biden just killed that with a stroke of a pen. We have the ability to produce energy cleaner, more efficient, and at a lower cost than any other nation in the world. We need to start acting like it instead of hindering our own ability." Source: Rep. Randy Weber (Republican, Texas, District 14)


•      "American natural gas exports have been crucial in lowering global emissions, increasing our national security, and creating good jobs and economic growth at home. We should be celebrating the fact that America is exporting more energy, instead of forcing ourselves and our allies to rely on other countries with worse labor and environmental standards for their future energy needs. While this decision does not impact the existing export approval for the Alaska LNG project, it does send a message that future LNG development in Alaska is at risk. I will be advocating strongly to the President to reverse this short-sighted ban and let American natural gas continue to power a cleaner, safer future." Source: Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola (Democrat, Alaska)


•      "By fostering a robust natural gas industry, we stimulate investment, enhance domestic manufacturing, and create well-paying jobs across various sectors — all while protecting our national security and bolstering strategic alliances. LNG export projects are indispensable for ensuring that we continue to function as the economic ‘arsenal of democracy’ during geopolitical incidents such as the war in Ukraine. A reversal of the pause on LNG export applications is not just a strategic imperative but also an economic necessity, ensuring the continued prosperity of our nation. I urge the White House to swiftly correct course and reconsider its ill-conceived decision to further hinder America’s ability to be energy dominant." Source: Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, Pennsylvania, District 14)

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