Texas Land Commissioner Buckingham Blasts Biden Energy Department for Liquid Natural Gas Export Moratorium
On January 31 2024, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. sent the Department of Energy a letter regarding the recent decision to pause new approvals of liquid natural gas (LNG) exports. She outlined her grave concerns, such as the negative impact it will have on public education funding in Texas, harm to the environment by increasing foreign dependence on less clean energy sources, and the inevitable enrichment of countries involved in aggressive actions against Israel and Ukraine.
“The Biden Administration’s attempts to hinder Texas liquefied natural gas is nothing more than retaliation for standing resolute in the fight to secure our southern border. This impulsive and economy-crushing move will drive our allies overseas into the hands of our adversaries,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “While this decision pacifies climate extremists for the time being, the only thing this policy change accomplishes is the shuttering of Texas' economy and putting Texans out of work.”
The letter notes, “The oil and gas industry supports more than 2.5 million jobs statewide, many of which are high-paying and bolster the economy in rural areas of Texas. Further, Texas-led energy security allows us to support our allies in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East during times of conflict by providing cheap, clean-burning LNG in lieu of Russian or Iranian gas. In light of these facts, it's unconscionable that our own federal government would take such drastic steps with the goal of shutting down this thriving industry.”
Read Commissioner Buckingham’s letter to the Biden Administration’s Energy Department, here.