On Tuesday, the Department of Energy released a study on the public interest implications of additional LNG exports.
While we share the DOE's view that climate progress, energy security, and the cost of living are critical factors to determine whether additional natural gas exports are in the public interest, its study is inconsistent with the consensus of independent analyses showing that LNG exports meet those criteria.
Understand the facts on U.S. LNG exports:
- Domestic natural gas prices have remained stable despite the U.S. growing from zero LNG exports in 2015 to becoming the world's largest exporter. A recent S&P Global report also states that approving unauthorized LNG export facilities would "negligibly impact household natural gas costs (<1%)."
- Replacing foreign coal with U.S. LNG reduces emissions, period. A 2024 study from ICF International concluded that without U.S. LNG exports abroad, global GHG emissions would have increased in 2022 by over 112 million metric tons, mostly produced by coal.
- Europe needs and is asking for more U.S. LNG. Russian gas – which comprised 18% of EU gas imports in the first half of 2024 and outpaced U.S. gas imports – will not be fully displaced until we commit to providing Europe with a more secure supply of energy. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently echoed this sentiment by highlighting U.S. LNG as an ideal solution to replace Russian gas.
Take a moment to read PAGE's full press statement following the newly released report. We look forward to working with the 119th Congress on solutions for critical energy issues.