Unlocking American LNG for energy security and lower global emissions

OPINION:

This week is National Clean Energy Week, and we are celebrating the contributions the United States has made toward lowering global emissions and asserting our energy leadership. The key? American-made natural gas.

The U.S. has reduced our carbon footprint by more than any other country since the turn of the century, largely due to hydraulic fracturing techniques that can access the abundant natural gas reserves that districts like mine depend on for energy generation and good-paying jobs. With energy demand on the rise, both in the United States and around the world, we should be embracing the resources we have to provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy to the world.

Earlier this year, I introduced the “Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act,” legislation that would help preserve the future of American energy, protect American energy jobs, lower energy costs, advance our global diplomatic leverage, and strengthen our national security. As I said about this legislation then, “it is past time we cut the red tape surrounding the natural gas export permitting process, and unleash homegrown American energy.”

The Biden administration continues to send mixed messages — at best — on whether or not it supports the development of reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy resources, like natural gas, here in the U.S. At a time of great global uncertainty, for America to not be sitting at the head of the global energy table is irresponsible and dangerous. It doesn’t have to be this way.

The Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act would serve as an enormous first step in reversing our decline in global energy leadership, and it would demonstrate our commitment to good global environmental stewardship. We have abundant clean energy resources in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays here in Ohio, and in other shale deposits across the country.

We can lead on the world stage as a global provider of clean and abundant U.S. natural gas, but to accomplish that we have to implement smart, America-first policies. Additionally, if other countries rely on America for their energy, they would rely less on cruel, energy-rich dictators like Vladimir Putin and the OPEC cartel that don’t have our best interests in mind. In fact, Russian natural gas exported to Europe results in 41% more lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than U.S. LNG exported to Europe that seems like a no brainer to me.

As we recognize National Clean Energy Week, it’s important to point out that good energy policy based on good old fashion American ingenuity and innovation is also good climate policy. Expanding American liquified natural gas exports results in massive global carbon emissions reductions. It is past time that we cut the Washington red tape surrounding the natural gas export permitting process, and unleash homegrown American energy.

• Bill Johnson, Ohio Republican, represents the state’s Sixth Congressional District and serves as Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Minerals. As Chairman, he advances policies keeping air and water clean while putting American energy independence first. He has led efforts in the U.S. House to defend domestic energy production and the jobs it provides.