Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its long-awaited study of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, following its pause on approving new LNG export terminals. The study concluded that increasing LNG exports would likely result in higher domestic energy prices and have a negative impact on climate change, considerations that must be taken into account in determining whether additional LNG export authorization requests to non-free trade agreement countries are “in the public interest.” In response, Trevor Higgins, senior vice president of Energy and Environment at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
This report clearly shows the harm resulting from unfettered LNG exports. The fossil fuel industry claims that gas is cleaner than coal, which is like saying that vaping pens are better than cigarettes. And like the tobacco industry, the fossil fuel industry is looking to hook new markets. But the math is in: Shipping American fuel overseas mostly displaces clean energy, not coal—and will add roughly $10 per month to household electricity bills. The fossil fuel industry’s claim that our allies and partners have requested increased LNG exports is simply false. European nations have already filled their energy reserves and are actively working to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
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