U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology

12/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/09/2024 12:26

Committee Leaders Continue to Press DOE for Answers on Unjustified LNG Pause

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee leaders sent a fourth letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm, expressing ongoing concern that pausing the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) without scientific justification could eventually lead to a permanent ban on one of our country's most valuable clean energy resources.

In the letter sent by Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), Environment Subcommittee Chairman Max Miller (R-OH), Investigations and Oversight Chairman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX), the members conveyed their dissatisfaction with the Department's inadequate response to prior communications regarding this critical issue.

"In total, these letters posed 17 questions and made two document requests. In the nine months since these questions were first posed, the Department has failed to provide any substantive answers about the analyses being conducted to establish LNG export authorizations," Lucas, Miller, Obernolte, and Babin said.

The members emphasized significant concern about the lack of transparency regarding such impactful and far-reaching analyses. They noted that this contradicts the DOE's scientific integrity policy and undermines both the actual and perceived credibility of federally sponsored research. Additionally, it raises questions about the potential political motivations behind the halt.

"Given the lack of answers and transparency, as well as the failed communication on behalf of the Department, we must assume some level of political motivation drove this halt on LNG exports. The Committee has given the Department ample opportunity to be transparent and to address any doubts of political influence in developing this new analysis. However, the Department continues to choose silence."

Moving forward, Lucas, Miller, Obernolte, and Babin stress that DOE should refrain from releasing any analysis of U.S. LNG exports, in either draft or final form, until the Department explains its actions and addresses the committee's concerns.

"We are requesting the Department preserve all documents relating to the any LNG analysis efforts and its drafting, including communications leading up to and during the development of the economic and environmental analyses. Lastly, the Committee requests that Secretary Granholm provide a personal commitment to participate in all oversight efforts of this analysis in all future discussions."

Read the full letter to Secretary Granholm here.