Biden's LNG pause is catastrophic decision for Louisiana and America

Editor's note: The following guest column was submitted to the USA Today Network by Louisiana 5th District Congresswoman Julia Letlow, R-Start, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Energy is present and essential in every facet of Louisianans' lives. When most Americans think about energy, they may think of the gas in their car or the lights in their house, but this only scratches the surface. Energy fuels hospitals, schools, agriculture, infrastructure and shipment of goods. Without reliable, affordable energy, our lives would grind to a halt. The more we allow the government to restrict energy development, the more expensive and scarce energy resources become – driving our nation to depend on foreign sources of energy from nations such as Russia, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia instead of investing right here at home.

Recently, the Biden Administration made yet another catastrophic decision for America’s oil and natural gas industry. President Biden announced a delay in consideration of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the United States, one of which was set to be in Louisiana. Putting further restrictions on growth in our energy sector increasingly strains our markets, eliminates American jobs, and threatens our national security.

I’ve proudly witnessed the growth of our energy industry, as our state has emerged as a global energy leader as well as a top LNG exporter in the U.S. In 2021 alone, oil and gas contributed over $54 billion throughout our state’s economy, and accounted for 21% of our gross domestic product. Louisiana is also a leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, responsible for over 60% of the LNG produced and exported from the United States. The energy industry is also a tremendous source of good-paying jobs for our communities, generating over 350,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout our state in 2021 and creating countless opportunities for Louisianans.

While some would say that increased production of oil and gas only makes a significant financial contribution in a corporate boardroom, that assumption would not only be misleading, but blatantly wrong. One often overlooked benefit from the oil and gas industry is its significant financial contribution to public education. In many states, the revenue generated from the oil and gas sector is immediately reinvested back in the classroom, allowing students to be the true beneficiary. As a former educator, I fully understand the ongoing need for us to continue to have a robust stream of funding for students not just today, but in the years to come.

Unfortunately, the Biden Administration’s flagrant attacks on our state’s energy industry have hampered its growth and potential, directly hurting Louisianans. The bottom line is that our people are losing good-paying jobs and our students are receiving less funding in the classroom because of these misguided actions from the White House.

Recently, the administration released the smallest offshore lease sale in history, allowing only three leases over the next five years. This cuts off the opportunity for more long-term investment from the industry in our state, and instead sends those dollars overseas where they will be locked into projects and unable to return to the Gulf Coast, essentially robbing our people of more employment opportunities and the benefits of increased revenue.

While the Biden administration has refused to embrace increased American oil and gas production, they’ve been far more friendly to foreign adversaries. President Biden seems more interested in encouraging Venezuela to produce oil than producing it at home. Demand for fossil fuels is not decreasing substantially, so we should implement policies that allow production here in the U.S. to keep up with demand instead of outsourcing to other countries.

Relying on foreign nations for energy will only weaken our national security. The more we can move toward energy independence and utilize our own resources for the affordable energy supply that we need, the stronger our nation will become.

We’ve seen what energy vulnerability does to our allies in the wake of brutal wars. As the country works to boost production and exports, our allies have depended on the U.S. to supply them with affordable and dependable energy after cutting ties with Russia. For example, Germany has already signed several long-term deals with Louisiana-based energy companies, like Venture Global and Cheniere, strengthening our international relationships and creating opportunities for Louisianans.

Despite these attacks on our energy industry, there is still hope. Sitting on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, my colleagues and I have championed legislation that fortifies our national security and supports energy development and economic competitiveness through investments in infrastructure —notably our ports — in order to export energy safely. I am proud to have been a part of boosting our nation’s energy infrastructure through the appropriations process and look forward to ensuring that Louisianans benefit from the buildout.

Americans deserve better. Louisianans deserve better. As the new year kicks off, the Biden Administration should embrace the opportunity to turn the page on their short-sighted energy policies and begin to empower all types of energy projects instead of picking losers and winners. Energy policies have local, national, and international implications. The ability for this industry to thrive coincides directly with America’s wellbeing. It’s time to get true energy policy on the table, not push a radical agenda.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Biden's LNG pause is catastrophic decision for Louisiana and America