House Republicans allege that the Biden-Harris administration withheld a completed study to justify a freeze on natural gas projects, sparking renewed debate over energy policy. In January, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a moratorium on liquefied natural gas (LNG) permits, citing the need for a study on the environmental and economic impacts of exports. GOP leaders, however, claim the DOE already completed this analysis in 2023.
A letter from the House Oversight Committee’s GOP leadership, including Rep. James Comer (R-KY), states that the DOE is obstructing their inquiry by not disclosing the completed study, which they believe refutes the administration’s reasons for halting the projects. Oversight committee members requested the report months ago, but the DOE responded only to requests for “final” studies, omitting earlier versions.
Chris Horner, an attorney with the watchdog group Government Accountability & Oversight, criticized the DOE’s actions as a “full-blown scandal.” He claims the study actually touted the benefits of LNG exports, contradicting the administration’s decision to restrict them. Horner added that the DOE’s response was an attempt to rewrite the initial records request to avoid transparency.
The DOE’s moratorium, which is intended to last until 2025, has been controversial, with both Republicans and Democrats expressing concerns. Energy industry groups and security officials argue that continued natural gas exports are crucial for economic growth and job creation. A report from the American Petroleum Institute found that expanding LNG exports could generate $73 billion and create 453,000 jobs by 2040.
