This story was first published guardian Reprinted here as part of. climate desk collaboration.
of Biden administration has published a long-awaited analysis of the economic and environmental impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, concluding that further expansion will raise costs for domestic consumers and impede efforts to curb the climate crisis.
In January, joe biden paused The Department of Energy has approved exports of fossil gas to large consumers in Asia and Europe to conduct a review, a move that was welcomed by climate scientists, environmental justice advocates and public health experts. , was criticized by the oil and gas industry.
analysis In a letter summarizing the study’s findings, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said increased LNG exports risk significantly increasing greenhouse gas emissions and could lead to higher prices for U.S. energy consumers. A paper has been published showing that there is.
Granholm told reporters that a business-as-usual approach to LNG export permits is neither sustainable nor a good idea, and that the findings highlight the need for a cautious approach to new permits. Ta.
The Energy Department’s analysis was welcomed by environmental groups.
“This study shows that expanding fossil fuel exports has significant negative economic, climate and environmental impacts,” said Rachel Cleetus, policy director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Climate and Energy Program. .
“At a time when the world must increasingly move away from fossil fuels, the United States must adopt a forward-looking perspective so that its citizens do not suffer the costs and consequences of short-sighted decisions that cater to narrow interests.” Polluting Companies reduce the number of ”
The Department of Energy will now open a 60-day comment period on the draft analysis.
Donald Trump, a climate change skeptic and supporter of fossil fuel development, promised to immediately end the moratorium on new LNG export licenses upon his return to the White House in January.
In response to the Department of Energy’s analysis, Monine Nasmyth, senior attorney at the legal advocacy group Earthjustice, said the Department’s “analysis confirms what we’ve known for years: that rampant LNG exports are “It pushes up prices and contributes to soaring energy prices.” Causing the devastating effects of climate change and slowing the global transition to truly clean energy. Allows large CP2-like projects [Calcasieu Pass 2] The proposal moving forward in Louisiana is against the public interest. ”
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“These studies clearly show that LNG exports are in the gas industry’s best interest and no one else’s,” said Lauren Parker, a lawyer at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. Ta.
“Exporting fracked gas exacerbates climate change, harms wildlife, and increases prices for U.S. consumers. Studies show that current supplies meet all domestic and global energy needs. It turns out that LNG expansion has not been in the public interest for a long time.”
Although the United States only began exporting LNG in 2016, it is now the world’s largest producer and exporter of fossil gas and oil. Amid mounting pressure from environmental advocates to make good on his campaign promise to become the country’s first climate president, Biden’s actions have been paused, with plans for more than a dozen projects, including the record-breaking CP2 project. The issuance of permits for new LNG export facilities has reportedly been postponed. Expert as “”climate bomb”
Federal officials are forced to: protect 600,000 Americans, including climate scientists, public health experts, consumer advocates, veterans, national security experts, members of Congress, and front-line community members, spoke out and urged the Biden administration to stop fossil gas exports. appealed for restraint.
In response to Tuesday’s study, Tonyen Barkitas, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Socially Responsible Physicians, said: “LNG exports not only cement the continued need for fracked gas, but also release large amounts of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, threatening research progress.”Climate Crisis and Clean Air.
“As a result, companies profit economically and the people become economically exhausted. What no one talks about is the mental and emotional impact of noise and light pollution and the associated industrial stress. The physical and psychological effects are immeasurable.”
A recent peer-reviewed study found that: LNG has an even greater climate impact than coaland cause serious harm Air quality and public health. Still, the oil and gas industry is poised to boost record profits by rapidly expanding U.S. export capacity. Demand will decline in Europe and Security concerns grow regarding exports via China.
the study published Greenpeace and the Sierra Club announced in August that expanded LNG exports are responsible for many premature deaths and nearly $1 billion in annual medical costs.
“We’re excited about the impact of the pandemic,” said Tyson Slocum, director of the nonprofit Public Citizen Energy Program. “LNG export terminals already approved and under construction will nearly double America’s already record export capacity, and pending applications will quadruple existing capacity.
“Today’s investigation makes clear that all pending export applications must be rejected as contrary to the public interest and that existing exports should be re-evaluated to determine their compatibility with the public interest.” It became.”
Report contributed by Reuters.
