Federal judge suspends Biden administration’s freeze on LNG export permits – Houston Public Media

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A federal court in Louisiana has suspended the Biden administration’s administrative hold on new liquefied natural gas export permits. U.S. District Judge James Cain, Jr. ruled in favor of Texas, Louisiana and 14 other states that challenged the freeze on LNG export permits. The states had argued that the freeze, which applies specifically to LNG exports to countries with which the United States does not have a free trade agreement, was unconstitutional.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a statement hailing the ruling as a victory. “This ruling means that Biden’s illegal ban does not prevent Texas natural gas from reaching the market while the lawsuit continues,” Paxton said. “While I continue to fight for Texans against the Biden administration, producers can get their natural gas to market instead of flaring it. This will protect Texas jobs and keep our critical energy industry running.”

The move is a setback for the White House’s efforts to combat climate change. The Biden administration ordered the freeze in January to give the Energy Department time to assess the potential effects of LNG exports on overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Republican Rep. Randy Weber represents about a third of the Texas Gulf Coast, including much of the region’s LNG production. “People get concerned here on the Gulf Coast when the president starts — I would say, starts messing around — with permitting energy. Let it happen. Let free enterprise take its course,” Weber said.

Judge Cain issued his decision less than two weeks after hearing arguments in the case.

“I’m glad they did it quickly,” Weber said. “I’m sure the Biden administration will appeal. If it goes to the Supreme Court, it won’t get decided.”^th “I just hope that the Court of Appeal will also make its decision within 10 or 12 days.”

Neither the White House nor the Department of Energy immediately responded to a request for comment.

David Bookbinder, legal and policy director of the Environmental Integrity Project, also expects the United States to 5^th The circuit will uphold the lower court’s decision, given the Supreme Court’s ruling last week that undermines the regulatory powers of federal agencies.

“We’re already dealing with an appeals court that is notoriously conservative,” Bookbinder said. “They don’t like environmental protections and I think they’re going to seize the opportunity to reduce the DOE’s authority and they’re likely to support this judge’s decision.”