Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines criticized Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing for downplaying the Biden administration’s indefinite pause on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and its radical plans to phase out fossil fuels.

Daines expressed concerns about the lack of clarity on when the pause on LNG exports will be lifted, highlighting the impact on job creation and the economy. He also raised geopolitical implications, noting the weaponization of natural gas by other countries.

In response to Daines' inquiries, Secretary Granholm confirmed that LNG is considered a fossil fuel and emphasized that the pause is for updating studies due to significant changes in LNG exports since the last study. She mentioned the need to assess the impacts on domestic prices and global demand.

The discussion between Daines and Granholm also touched on the completion timeline of the study, assurance of not denying future export applications, and the perception of the pause's messaging globally.

Daines criticized the pause as politically motivated and raised concerns about ideological influences, referencing the White House press release advocating for phasing out fossil fuels and stopping LNG shipments. Granholm defended the pause as scientific and data-driven, aimed at ensuring adequate supply for allies.

The exchange highlighted the diverging perspectives on the implications of the LNG export pause, with Daines emphasizing the potential negative effects and Granholm defending the decision as necessary for gathering essential data.

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