Industry praise lifting of LNG permitting pause

Midland Reporter-Telegram

by Mella McEwen

Among the first acts of his second term, President Donald Trump has lifted a moratorium on new U.S. licenses to export liquefied natural gas.

The move came in an executive order directed at energy and ordered the Energy Department to resume reviewing applications for new permits. The pause began last January when then-President Joe Biden ordered his administration to study the climate, economic and social security implications of increasing LNG exports.

The December release of the DOE's report that found exports would increase costs to consumers and manufacturers and increase emissions drew immediate pushback from the industry. Likewise, ending the moratorium drew immediate praise from the industry.

"The PBPA is very grateful that President Trump has lifted the ban on exporting LNG," Ben Shepperd, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, told the Reporter-Telegraml "This ill-conceived idea never should have taken root. America's allies and consumers the world over will benefit from this newly available natural gas to warm their homes and run their economies."

While the Independent Petroleum Association of America did not specifically address the pause in LNG permits, IPAA President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Eshelman said in a statement following Trump's inauguration: "Misguided, irrational energy policies are done. America's vast resources will be unleashed responsibly - and smaller oil and natural gas producers - will continue to power our nation forward. The new Administration recognizes the importance of American energy dominance at home and abroad. Through ups and downs, independent oil and gas producers have weathered every difficulty and success. That will never stop."

Anne Bradbury, chief executive officer of the American Exploration & Production Council, released the following statement after President Trump restarted the LNG export approval process: "AXPC applauds President Trump's decision to lift the prior administration's 'pause' on LNG exports and setting a path for export authorizations, because American LNG exports strengthen our economy, shore up global security, and advance collective emissions reductions goals - all while U.S. natural gas prices remain affordable and stable here at home.

"This move is critical, because the U.S. economy and our allies around the world deserve a stable and predictable LNG export approval process to help meet the rising global demand for energy."

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