Texas GOP Bills Aim to Streamline LNG Approvals

Republican Texas Rep. August Pfluger has introduced the 'Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act,' a bill aimed at transferring the authority to approve liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects from the Department of Energy (DOE) to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This move follows a 2024 order under the Biden administration that froze LNG approvals, which critics argue favored environmental lobbyists. Pfluger stated that the legislation aims to streamline the permitting process and enhance U.S. energy security, emphasizing that energy security is tied to national security. Meanwhile, Rep. Jodey Arrington has proposed the CRUDE Act, which would restrict future presidents from imposing oil export bans without valid justification. Both pieces of legislation reflect a broader Republican strategy to reverse Biden-era energy regulations, with Arrington criticizing Biden's tenure as detrimental to domestic energy independence. The push for these bills indicates a significant shift in U.S. energy policy as the GOP seeks to bolster fossil fuel production.