Southern West Virginia News

Yesterday, the Department of Energy announced its decision to resume processing applications for U.S. companies seeking to export Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). This announcement follows a four-year pause on such exports.

The bipartisan Congressional Energy Export Caucus Co-Chairs—Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Lou Correa (D-CA)—issued a statement expressing their approval of this development. They stated, “Yesterday, the Department of Energy has announced that it will resume the application process of Liquified Natural Gas export permits. As co-chairs of the Congressional Energy Export Caucus, we are pleased that this pause will be lifted. LNG is fundamental to the enrichment of U.S. energy production, and the decision to pause these exports has stifled our energy industry over the last four years."

The statement also emphasized their commitment to working with the Trump administration to bolster America's position as a leading oil and natural gas producer. "This is just the beginning of the restoration process for unleashing American energy dominance and reviving our economy—and we look forward to working with the Trump administration to ensure that America continues to be the world’s top oil and natural gas producer,” they added.

In recent months, there have been significant discussions regarding LNG exports in Congress. In December 2024, S&P Global published a study highlighting LNG's importance in maintaining low living costs and providing international energy solutions. The report underlined LNG's role in enhancing both U.S. economic growth and energy supply.

Additionally, in August 2024, members of the Energy Export Caucus sent a bipartisan letter urging the Biden administration to approve LNG export permits. Earlier in February 2024, they expressed concerns about plans to limit these exports through another letter addressed directly to President Biden.