Biden administration pauses plans for new gas export facilities

Citing climate change as the “existential threat of our time”, on Friday, January 25th, President Joe Biden paused approval of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities.  During that time the Department of Energy (DOE) will review the economic and environmental impacts of projects seeking approval to export LNG to global markets. 

LNG is a fossil fuel, consisting mostly of methane. Methane is more than 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Beyond climate, the extraction of methane gas has led to tremendous environmental harm and put the health and safety of communities across the country at risk. 

“When rooftop solar panels can power an induction cooktop or electric heat pump, it becomes increasingly unacceptable to saddle society with the risks associated with methane,” said Johanna Neumann, senior director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy. “It’s time to leave polluting fossil fuels like methane behind and embrace a future powered by 100% renewable energy.”