Blumenthal Demands Energy Secretary Reverse Course on Natural Gas Exports as American Families' Utility Bills Skyrocket

[Hartford, CT] - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 9 Senators in a letter urging Energy Secretary Chris Wright to reverse course on his pledge to double liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports as Americans face rapidly rising home heating costs.

The letter, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), was joined by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

"The Trump Administration's LNG export policies are not putting America first: they have jacked up utility prices for families, leaving many Americans struggling with the cost of heating their homes this winter," wrote the senators.

Last year, natural gas prices increased more than 55% and are expected to increase by 16% in 2026. The latest CPI figures show that the price that Americans pay to heat their homes with natural gas has increased by nearly 10% in the last twelve months. The Energy Information Administration reported that exports of natural gas are "primarily" responsible for these price increases.

But the Trump Administration is now seeking to increase the pace of LNG exports, with the Energy Secretary indicating that the Department is seeking to double LNG exports within four years. Already during the Trump Administration, LNG exports have increased dramatically, growing 26% in 2025 and expected to increase by an additional 9% in 2026.

The senators also expressed concerns about how the Trump administration's LNG export push will benefit oil executives and campaign contributors.

"Adding insult to injury, the growth of LNG exports has helped line the pockets of oil executives at the expense of American families," wrote the senators.

President Trump has received extensive support from energy and natural gas firms, and the administration has granted extraordinary regulatory favors to the industry.

"We urge DOE to reconsider its plan to increase LNG exports while Americans face higher utility and gas prices," concluded the senators. The senators pressed for a written commitment by March 11, 2026.

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1. Energy & the Environment