LNG Exports: The Permit Approval Process and the Environmental Impacts
On January 26, 2024, the Biden Administration announced a pause on pending decisions on permits to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-free trade agreement countries until the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) updates underlying analyses for the authorizations. The United States is the largest global exporter of LNG, and its exports have rapidly grown over recent years. The pause presents an opportunity to review impacts of increased LNG export, including climate consequences, environmental justice harms, and more. On March 20, the Environmental Law Institute hosted a panel of experts to discuss the current global state of LNG exportation, the consequences of the pause, and potential changes to DOE’s permit review. Here, we present a transcript of that discussion, which has been edited for style, clarity, and space considerations.