In less than a decade, the United States transformed from exporting almost no liquefied natural gas (LNG) to becoming the world’s leading exporter, surpassing other energy-producing giants like Russia and Qatar. Texas energy producers and innovators drove this remarkable achievement, playing a pivotal role in making America a global energy powerhouse.
America’s new role as the leading LNG exporter comes at a critical time. The Energy Information Administration projects a 48% increase in global demand for natural gas by 2050. To meet this rising demand, we need greater investment in America’s LNG sector. As elected officials in the Lone Star State, we believe that Texas energy—produced by blue collar workers from the Permian Basin to the Rio Grande Valley—should be at the forefront of this effort. If we don’t take action, countries like Russia and Iran are poised to overtake America as the world’s primary energy supplier.
That’s why we are concerned about the recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision to block permits for LNG export facilities in Texas. The court’s unprecedented decision to revoke already-issued permits creates a new reality that threatens thousands of jobs, undermines economic growth in Texas, and, according to a former Obama Administration official, even puts future investmentin renewable energy infrastructure at risk…