WWL: Why is Biden pausing Liquefied Natural Gas Exports? ‘I’m dumbfounded’ expert says

The Biden administration put a pause on Liquified Natural Gas exports, a move that many Republicans and Democrats do not support, including former US Senator Mary Landrieu and former US Representative Charlie Melancon.

“We’re dumbfounded, this doesn’t make sense,” Eric Cormier, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Strategic Initiatives at SWLA Economic Development Alliance in Lake Charles, LA, said when he joined Newell Normans on WWL to discuss the move.

He added that he wants to work with anyone possible to convince the Biden Administration to change its policy and get LNG flowing again.

Normand added the current administration is ‘speaking with a forked tongue,’ on the subject by saying LNG is environmentally friendly — and they care about the environment — and then putting a freeze on it.

“To say that we don’t believe the environment is important, that’s a lie … This type of move doesn’t make sense,” Cormier said.

The Biden Administration explained their freeze this way: “The current economic and environmental analyses DOE uses to underpin its LNG export authorizations are roughly five years old and no longer adequately account for considerations like potential energy cost increases for American consumers and manufacturers beyond current authorizations or the latest assessment of the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.

“We also must adequately guard against risks to the health of our communities, especially frontline communities in the United States who disproportionately shoulder the burden of pollution from new export facilities. The pause, which is subject to exception for unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies, will provide the time to integrate these critical considerations.”

Cormier added that it’s perilous to the income of heard-working Louisiana because jobs in LNG put money in people’s pocket. “We really, really, really would appreciate if the Biden Administration and the policy makers on this position would wake up and realize this isn’t good business,” Cormier said.

Listen to the interview at WWL.