A federal judge has lifted the Biden administration's temporary pause on approvals for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits. Judge James D. Cain Jr. of the Western District of Louisiana, who issued the preliminary injunction, sided with 16 Republican-led states that argued the pause would harm their economies. The Biden administration had initiated the pause in January to review the environmental and economic impacts of LNG exports. The decision is seen as a setback to Biden's climate agenda, which aims to address climate change and reduce planet-warming emissions. Environmental groups criticized the ruling, stating there was no 'LNG export ban' but merely a pause for assessment. The Department of Energy and the White House expressed disappointment and are evaluating next steps.