Press Release

Groups Show Support For Members Of Congress Speaking Out Against Fossil Fuel Interests – Lead by Sierra Club May 7, 2024 Contact Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org Washington, DC — Today, more than 70 members of Congress sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary Granholm thanking them for pausing the approval of applications for new liquefied methane gas (LNG) exports while the Department of Energy considers the criteria used to determine whether new exports are in the public interest. The members of Congress write in the letter:  “Once again, thank you for taking this important step to put public health and economic well-being first by pausing the approval of new LNG export authorizations to non-Free Trade Agreement countries. This is an overdue opportunity to examine whether the LNG export boom creates value for the American people or, as we suspect, results in harm while primarily benefitting oil and gas companies that want to ship American LNG overseas for higher profits.” Key priorities that these members of Congress want to see incorporated into the public interest determination include a test for the economic effects LNG export approvals will have on U.S. consumers, an evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions along the entire LNG export supply chain, on international and domestic climate targets, and for new considerations of LNG exports to follow the spirit of President Biden’s Executive Order on Revitalizing our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All. This letter builds on the support from a broad coalition of frontline residents, environmental groups, and stakeholders for the Biden Administration’s pause on new LNG export approvals. In the past year, dozens of members of Congress, national security experts and former senior military leaders, environmental organizations, Gulf Coast residents, scientists, and healthcare professionals all sent letters to the Administration showing support for the pause and calling for an end to new LNG export facilities as they are not in the public interest. Gulf Coast advocates and environmental groups issued the following statements in support of the letter from members of Congress: “We applaud these Congressional leaders for sending the Biden Administration a letter celebrating the pause on new LNG export approvals while the Department of Energy considers the full impacts this dangerous fossil fuel has on the public’s health, our economy, and our climate and environmental justice goals,” said Roishetta Sibley Ozane, Founder and Executive Director of the Vessel Project of Louisiana. “For too long, communities forced to live near the petro-chemical industry have faced the disproportionate effects of pollution and climate change, seeing little to no supposed benefits of having these companies operate in their neighborhoods. This pause presents an opportunity for the Biden Administration to prioritize environmental justice and climate action going forward when making decisions about new LNG export approvals. We thank these Congressional leaders for urging the Biden Administration to use this moment to truly chart a new course towards a more sustainable and just future.” “We are glad to see such strong Congressional leadership in support of the Biden Administration’s commonsense decision to pause new LNG export approvals so the Department of Energy can re-examine the impacts these exports have on our climate and environmental justice goals, as well as our economy,” said Mahyar Sorour, Sierra Club Director of Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy. “The oil and gas industry has been polluting our communities and raising our energy prices, all while making record-breaking profits at the expense of public health and safety. It is time to change the status quo and put people over these polluting companies.” “Study after study has shown just how harmful LNG exports are to our climate, health, financial well-being, and national security. The Biden administration has begun to pave a new path forward by reviewing the criteria used to determine if new gas exports are in the public interest,” said Joanie Steinhaus, Ocean Program Director for Turtle Island Restoration Network. “Now we need that path to lead to real change by ensuring DOE is using updated studies and incorporating factors like environmental justice into their decisions. We are grateful to members of Congress who understand what is at stake for our communities and stand with us.” “We applaud members of Congress for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with President Biden’s historic decision to pause approvals for new LNG export terminals. Communities in the Gulf have long led the fight against LNG expansion and unjustly borne the brunt of pollution that the federal government has failed to wholly consider in previous LNG infrastructure approvals,” said Mattea Mrkusic, Evergreen Action’s Senior Policy Lead for Energy Transition. “Studies have repeatedly found that LNG is far worse for the climate than previously thought, and pausing approvals of new terminals is a no-brainer to allow decision-makers to fully take stock of their climate impacts. President Biden and the Department of Energy’s LNG review is a deeply necessary step toward accurately measuring the damaging cost of LNG expansion to environmental justice, climate, public health, and American pocketbooks.” “Progress Texas celebrates action from the Biden Administration and Secretary Granholm acknowledging Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports’ harm to American citizens and the environment. We have an interest in ensuring prices stay affordable here at home, that our families are safe from the high and long term costs of LNG on our health and local economies, and of course, not adding more fuel to the fire of our already scorching climate. Sec. Granholm said it best: ‘I understand that some in the industry who may have pending authorization requests are not happy… But our review is in the public interest, and not in the interest just of the oil and gas industry,’” said Kathleen Thompson, Progress Texas Executive Director. “LNG’s glossy job promises starkly contrast with the grim reality—minimal sustainable jobs and significant ecological and community harm. Our local fishermen are sidelined as LNG facilities ravage marine habitats and deplete fishing grounds. The true cost? Devastating long-term impacts on both our environment and community fabric. We invite the Department of Energy and all congressional offices to visit Louisiana and the Gulf Coast to witness firsthand the false narrative that economic prosperity follows LNG construction, especially in communities already