Washington (KINY) – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowskj (R-Alaska) released the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s move to freeze export permits for liquified natural gas.
“President Biden’s ‘pause’ on new LNG export approvals sends the worst possible message to our allies and the world at the worst possible time. American LNG creates jobs and revenues at home, reduces emissions and increases security in countries who purchase from us, and provides an alternative to Russia, which is surely celebrating this news,” Sen. Murkowski said. “The past two years have proven how beneficial U.S. LNG is for everyone but global autocrats, but the President and his administration have put politics over policy and are carelessly throwing it all away.”
Senator Murkowski joined dozens of her colleagues in a letter to President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to stop the shortsighted effort and resume approving permits for LNG export projects.
“This freeze on new LNG export permits is a major step backwards,” Rep. Peltola said. “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.”
Representative Peltola joined the Western Caucus and Alaska’s Senate delegation in opposing the decision.
