A.G. Gancarski
Florida’s junior Senator is taking the lead when it comes to pillorying the President over his position on liquified natural gas exports.
Rick Scott led Senate colleague Marco Rubio and Representatives John Rutherford, Byron Donalds, Anna Paulina Luna, Scott Franklin, Gus Bilirakis, Aaron Bean, Kat Cammack, Maria Elvira Salazar, Daniel Webster, Bill Posey, Cory Mills, Neal Dunn and Mario Diaz-Balart in an expression of “deep concerns” over the “administration’s pause in approving permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects, particularly as it pertains to the state of Florida.”
“Florida plays a pivotal role in the broader landscape of U.S. LNG exports, and any decisions made in this regard will have a direct impact on our state’s economy and security. We believe that a thorough consideration of Florida’s unique circumstances and advantages is essential in shaping national policy on LNG exports. And further, a proper understanding and consideration of U.S. LNG exports on global energy markets and U.S. and allied interests is required before instituting such a shamefully transparent giveaway to radical climate activists,” the letter reads, calling the pause a “Green New Deal” policy.
The Biden administration is indeed promulgating what it calls a “temporary pause on pending decisions on exports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to non-FTA countries until the Department of Energy can update the underlying analyses for authorizations.”
Whether that will have long-term effects remains to be seen, but the White House is optimistic, according to comments last month.
“The U.S. is already the number one exporter of LNG worldwide — with U.S. LNG exports expected to double by the end of this decade. At the same time, the U.S. remains unwavering in our commitment to supporting our allies around the world. Today’s announcement will not impact our ability to continue supplying LNG to our allies in the near-term.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis also previously expressed concerns.
“I saw this news with Biden shutting down LNG exports, or not supporting new terminals, and I just scratch my head and just wonder what is going on. We have so much energy in this country. To be able to export that to allied countries is huge for national security. You want to weaken China, Iran, Russia, Venezuela, export more LNG to countries around the world,” DeSantis said at a press conference in Central Florida last month.
6 comments
MH/Duuuval
February 10, 2024 at 4:13 pm
So, Crooked Rick, what kind of returns have you gotten from investments on the $300 million you absconded with when your hastily exited Columbia/HCA?
You’re going down in Nov., pal.
Nope
February 10, 2024 at 6:00 pm
According to trade.gov, the US has 14 free trade agreements with 20 countries, which represents approx. 40% of all US trade exports. Does it follow then that excluding non FTA countries for export approximates 60%? Would have to break down just for LNG. Agree LNG has a huge role to play in the economic security that underlies national security and sanctions enforcement, but this action displays a dangerously clumsy approach which could create worldwide shockwaves and yes feed more power to Russia which is world’s next greatest exporter in LNG (they already supply most of Latin America and China) and Russia is already able to get around embargoes and sanctions thanks to China and Iran. So this is the definition of cutting off Uncle Sam’s nose to spite his face. This should be a much, much bigger story. I have no love for the representatives listed above but they are right this is huge issue and gobsmackingly poorly executed and baffling.
MH/Duuuval
February 10, 2024 at 10:20 pm
Isn’t natural gas a heavy polluter due to the methane that is burned off? In the short term, there is a market, especially for those now reliant on Russian gas. But investing heavily in this stuff long-term will be a problem that grows geometrically. (I know: Threading the needle is tricky.)
Nope
February 11, 2024 at 1:41 am
The real issue here is worldwide food security and prices. Thie old article cited below explains it pretty well but LNG is the precursor to most of the world’s nitrogen based fertilizer used in agriculture. Wonder why your coffee price doubled during Covid? All those beans, fruits, vegetables, and grains come mostly from other food producing countries who get their fertilizer from the LNG based market. The world’s largest suppliers are the US and Russia, and while the US was busy debating energy policy and withdrawing from the market, Russia was going around buying up all those contracts for a higher price and establishing exclusivity (look at what happened in Brazil as just one example), and it’s really hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube after that without the US market taking a hit. Those inflated prices and end runs around sanctions (because it was food supply related) fed Russian coffers for the war on Ukraine. While the world’s LNG suppliers were playing footsy during Covid, crops failed without the fertilizer supplies they needed, scarcity went up, prices went up. Things haven’t gotten better, just more cut throat. But it’s cool because the US is supplying Europe with all it needs for practically free. Screw everybody else, including the American consumer. This isn’t about using LNG for electricity—that’s only like 20% of total volume exports. This is about worldwide food security and it’s a really big messy complex deal. It also just paves the way for Russia to keep expanding and taking in more client states. Which it has and will. I’m not advocating a position in light of pollution and climate change. Obviously it seems insane the world food production is set up this way and dependent on LNG and things have to change. But just stating the challenges as they exist now, and there are many. You can’t just jerk around 60% of your supply market like that with no warning. It has huge ramifications.
https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/blogs/agriculture/011922-fertilizer-costs-natural-gas-prices
MH/Duuuval
February 11, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Interesting insight into food prices and for sure I need coffee and chocolate prices to stabilize. However However, coffee and chocolate cultivation are starting to be affected by climate warming. And, taking the path of least resistance for fossil fuels is getting problematic.
PeterH
February 10, 2024 at 9:18 pm
WHY DO REPUBLICANS HATE AMERICA?
Rick Scott endorsed Donald Trump for president!
Today Trump attacked Nikki Haley’s husband for being absent on the campaign trail…… Nikki’s husband is serving our country overseas. Trump doesn’t like our military…… this isn’t the first time he has trashed our patriotic values!
Additionally, Trump encouraged Russia to invade any NATO country that Putin wishes! Where is Marco Rubio and Rick Scott’s response?
Republicans are America’s worst enemy!
Vote all Republicans out of office!
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