Ensuring American energy independence is crucial to our national security and that of our allies around the world.

But, when the Biden Administration announced that they would pause U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports they essentially weakened American energy leadership and pushed our allies to get their LNG exports from adversaries like Russia, China, or Iran, countries with dirtier oil and natural gas.

The U.S. has been a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2005, we have reduced net greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent, all while primary energy production in the country increased by 48 percent. And the use of natural gas played an irreplaceable role in this fact.

Globally, according to the Energy Information Agency, primary energy consumption is expected to increase through 2050 by somewhere between 16 percent and 57 percent, and global demand for natural gas will increase by 41 percent by 2050. However, if the U.S. allows Biden’s war on energy to continue, we will limit our LNG exports, and that will have a domino effect on global LNG consumption.

In Congress, I proudly serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee where we recently conducted a hearing on the LNG export ban. During the hearing, I highlighted that U.S. LNG produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other types of coal and is much cleaner than natural gas produced in other countries, such as Russia, Iran or Venezuela. This means that more U.S. LNG exports could actually benefit the environment, especially if U.S. gas replaced dirtier carbon based fuels.

As a Vice Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, I believe that we can reduce global emissions by helping countries shift from coal to natural gas as well as other renewables thus compelling me to speak out against this egregious ban and work to reverse the moratorium not only for our allies, but for our communities.

Therefore, I supported H.R. 7176, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024, which passed the House on February 15th. This legislation would immediately reverse President Biden’s de facto ban on American LNG exports. Restoring LNG exports will strengthen the economy, further U.S. leadership in reducing emissions, and increase the energy security of the U.S. and its allies.

As we continue to work to reverse the Biden Administration’s assault on LNG exports, please know that I will continue to support our local communities and work to counter the Biden Administration’s extreme policies.

Rep. Miller-Meeks Official Photo

Mariannette Miller-Meeks currently represents Iowa’s First District in the United States House of Representatives.