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what’s happening
Late last month, President Biden announced a suspension of the approval process for a plan that would allow the United States to expand liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to other countries. Biden said the Energy Department will “take a hard look” at the economic and climate change impacts of the country’s rapidly expanding natural gas exports.
It’s unclear how much of an impact this moratorium will ultimately have on U.S. gas exports in the long term, but Biden’s decision has sparked intense debate, with even some fellow Democrats weighing in on the move. The government blames this as a self-inflicted economic mistake.
Like all fossil fuels, when burned, natural gas releases emissions that cause climate warming. However, it is much “cleaner” than other energy sources, especially coal, which releases about twice as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to produce the same amount of energy. However, this only applies if it is on fire. Methane, the raw form of natural gas, is an incredibly potent greenhouse gas that is known to leak from drilling sites, pipelines, and processing plants.
Over the past 15 years, U.S. natural gas production has doubled. The boom began under former President Barack Obama. Former President Obama viewed natural gas as a “bridge fuel” that could build on alternative green energy sources like wind and solar while cutting down on the most harmful fossil fuels. In the era of President Donald Trump, production increased even more as American-made energy was prioritized over environmental concerns.
Natural gas has replaced coal as the number one source of electricity in the United States and now provides twice as much electricity in the United States as any other fuel. The transition from coal to natural gas is the main reason the United States has been able to reduce overall CO2 emissions over the past 15 years. However, it is also associated with environmental pollution and serious health problems around drilling sites and pipelines.
Until 2011, the United States had never shipped natural gas to another country. The company is currently the world’s largest exporter of natural gas, and its export capacity is expected to double over the next three years thanks to ongoing projects that will not be affected by President Biden’s suspension. Most of the U.S. LNG ends up in Europe, but new routes are expected to open as early as next year that will allow the U.S. to increase exports to Asia.
Gas cannot be transported overseas in its natural state. It must be cooled to incredibly low temperatures to become liquefied natural gas, a process that consumes enormous amounts of energy.
Why is there a debate?
Biden’s moratorium on new LNG export projects was hailed as a small step in the right direction by environmental groups who have long argued that natural gas is “not that bad.” These climate change activists argue that if the president truly believes that climate change is an “existential threat of our time,” he would invest in green energy instead of helping other countries remain dependent on green fuels. He argues that we should lead the way in a rapid transition. Contributing to global warming.
Republicans and fossil fuel industry groups counter that America’s natural gas advantage is a huge global advantage that should be expanded. A Trump campaign spokesperson accused Biden of “misconduct.”[ing] By choosing to “undermine America’s economy and national security,” we comply with the radical demands of environmental extremists. The former president, who has insisted that climate change is a hoax, has promised to “drill, drill, drill” on fossil fuels when he returns to office.
Some moderates on both sides criticized Biden’s move, saying that while climate change is a serious issue, the potential economic damage from phasing out natural gas exports is too great. West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said in a statement that climate improvements should not come “at the expense of American workers, businesses, and allies in need.”
Some researchers argue that Biden’s moratorium on liquefied natural gas exports could ultimately have unintended negative effects on the climate. They argue that U.S. trading partners are likely to replace U.S. LNG with fuels such as coal or import gas from countries with far more destructive production practices than the United States. There is. But other experts say advances in green energy mean the need for “bridge fuels” is rapidly coming to an end, increasing the ability to meet demand that may disappear in the near future. I believe it is a mistake to continue spending billions of dollars on
what’s next
Many political commentators say Biden’s decision to suspend natural gas export projects is an attempt to appeal to younger, climate-conscious voters who are dissatisfied with Biden’s record on the issue so far. It is analyzed that. It remains to be seen whether this decision will affect their view of the president before November’s election.
Outlook
Gas has made America greener.The same can be done in other parts of the world
“The biggest single reason that U.S. carbon emissions have declined over the past few years is the switch from coal to natural gas for power generation. [natural gas] Making exports more difficult prevents other countries from switching. ” — National Review Editorial
Gas is no bridge without an actual plan to get to the other side
“The transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions requires a commitment to actually transition away from fossil fuels.” — Emily Grubert, The Conversation
Biden is letting far-left activists drive the U.S. energy industry into the trenches
“An administration that takes its cue from TikTok activists will not be seen as a legitimate force on environmental issues. These policies should be rooted in facts and results, not half-hearted intentions.” — Stephen Perkins, Washington Examiner
The value of natural gas is determined entirely by what it replaces
“Undoubtedly, meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement requires cutting fossil fuel use as quickly as possible. …But in all conceivable worlds, continuing or expanding natural gas production and exports That doesn’t mean it actually hurts the climate.” — Matthew Zeitlin, Heatmap
There is no demand for more and more gas around the world
“Europe doesn’t need more gas. … Some of the gas that Europe imports … is used to make plastics. That’s right, people. We don’t need to pollute American communities so we can produce.” — Leah StokesProfessor of Climate and Energy Policy, University of California, Santa Barbara
The need for bridge fuel is rapidly evaporating
“Natural gas has provided a bridge from coal in the U.S., but as the number of remaining coal-fired power plants rapidly declines and the cost of renewable energy declines, natural gas becomes a major driver for the power sector. , this bridge is rapidly approaching the end of ‘decarbonisation. ” — Sieg Hausfather, Breakthrough Institute
Natural gas is dirty like other fossil fuels
“Sure, big oil and gas companies have managed to fool some people into thinking that LNG is a profitable ‘transition’ fuel, but that’s literally a dirty lie.” — Roychetta Ozan and Beka Hinojosa, Houston・Chronicle
It’s too late to take things gradually.Fundamental changes are needed now
“The world is no longer committed to marginal, piecemeal improvements in emissions. A net-zero commitment requires moving everyone to cheap renewable energy as quickly as possible.” — Lennox Yearwood and Bill McKibben, Los Angeles Times
The free market should decide which fuels we use, not the government.
“Economics aside, what is the use of the federal government in dictating the direction of an industry that provides products that so many people find valuable? We want to harness that energy.” — Travis Fisher, Cato Institute
U.S. natural gas supports the U.S. economy and protects freedom around the world
“We seem to have a long-term interest in saying to our allies, not just within Europe but outside Europe, ‘If you need this energy, if you need this natural gas, we’re happy to sell it to you.’ ‘It would be good for American jobs. …And it would be good for the free world, to use that word, if we didn’t have to rely on countries like Russia for energy exports.” — Kyle・Peterson, Wall Street Journal
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