Democratic Legislators Urge Biden Administration to Fast-Track LNG Projects to Bolster Eastern European Allies

President Joe Biden speaks behind podium with American flags.

Democratic legislators are pushing the Biden administration to rapidly approve LNG projects to aid Ukraine and Eastern European allies amidst geopolitical tensions.

At a Glance

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, along with a dozen House colleagues, has requested the DOE to expedite LNG project reviews.
The focus is on enhancing US national security and energy stability for Europe.
The legislators emphasize that new LNG exports should not drive up US energy prices.
Delays could jeopardize European energy security and market stability.

Democrats Request Expedited LNG Project Approvals

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur has led twelve House colleagues in drafting a letter to the Biden administration, urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to fast-track the approval process for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects. The lawmakers emphasize the critical need to support Ukraine and Eastern European allies in their fight for energy independence amid ongoing aggression from Russia.

The letter, which addresses the President directly, stresses the significance of maintaining US national security and ensuring the energy security of European allies. According to the letter, timely approval of these LNG projects is vital for geopolitical stability, which, in turn, serves American national security interests.

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Ensuring US and European Energy Security

One of the key points highlighted by the legislators is the necessity to guarantee that new LNG exports do not adversely affect American consumer energy prices. This balance is essential in ensuring that while aiding allies, the US does not compromise its own energy stability.

“We must ensure that new exports do not impact energy prices for American consumers and businesses. However, the public interest also requires consideration of the extent to which LNG exports promote geopolitical stability and serve our national security interests. Russia’s increasingly aggressive actions towards Ukrainian infrastructure, including electricity and gas storage facilities, highlight the urgent need to assist Ukraine in recovering and rebuilding and for Ukraine to diversify and secure its energy supply,” said the Members.

The letter further acknowledges the administration’s recent $800 million aid directed towards Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This aid aims to repair energy infrastructure damaged by the conflict, expand power generation capacities, and encourage private sector investment. Another vital aspect is protecting energy infrastructure from future threats.

The Broader Implications of LNG Projects

The Biden administration had announced a moratorium on new LNG export terminal approvals in January, a pause designed to review the climate impacts alongside economic and security considerations. This pause has affected 17 pending LNG projects, significantly influencing energy markets.

Critics argue that this pause could inadvertently benefit less environmentally friendly producers from countries like Russia and Qatar. They highlight the urgency to prioritize and expedite the review of LNG projects to prevent European allies from increasing dependence on Russian energy.

“Any delays to providing additional supplies of LNG to Ukraine and our Eastern European allies could jeopardize European energy security and market stability in the long-term. Typical gas offtake contracts are measured in years, not months, and are underpinned by certainty. We should not send mixed signals to our allies who want to eliminate their reliance on Vladimir Putin for good. We believe that the United States must demonstrate its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and resilience amidst ongoing threats by prioritizing and expediting review of projects that will supply LNG to Ukraine and Eastern Europe,” – House Democrats

Balancing Environmental and Energy Needs

While the legislators push for rapid approvals, they also touch upon the environmental concerns. They argue that American LNG, produced under strong environmental protections, can help reduce global emissions while supporting a sustainable energy transition. The members insist that balancing environmental commitments with reliable energy provision to European allies is possible.

“balance [its] environmental commitments with the need to provide reliable energy to [its] European allies.” – House Democrats

As the DOE evaluates whether to incorporate climate change considerations into the LNG export approval process, this debate reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party. Some lawmakers advocate for increased gas exports to support allies and national security, while others prioritize environmental sustainability.