Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) confronted Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm on the Biden Administration’s dangerous decision to halt liquified natural gas (LNG) export projects during her appearance before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security on Wednesday.

The LNG export ban is seen by both conservatives and progressives alike as an election year political stunt. Yet, Secretary Granholm and the DOE defend the decision by warning LNG exports may raise the price of energy for domestic consumers in the future.

Balderson countered the administration’s argument by pointing to decades of data indicating the stability of natural gas prices since the first American LNG export terminal began operation in 2016. To shield consumers from escalating energy costs, Balderson proposed that the Biden Administration reassess its inflationary policies, which have already devastated families in Ohio and across America.

Below is the exchange between Balderson and Granholm:

Rep. Balderson: “Secretary Granholm, I just want to follow up on a point you raised both earlier this morning and during your budget hearing with the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources a few weeks ago. You’ve expressed concerns about the impact increasing LNG exports may have on domestic natural gas prices. That concern is one of the reasons your department went forward with the pause on approving new LNG exports—is that correct?”

Sec. Granholm: “It’s one of the issues that are being researched by the national labs as we consider what’s in the public interest.”

Rep. Balderson: “Thank you, I’d like to follow up on the concern. Since 2016, we’ve increased our LNG export capacity from zero to over 11 billion cubic feet per day. We’re now the world’s top LNG exporter. And guess what—the [price] of natural gas has remained stable and affordable. In fact, the current Henry Hub spot price is well below two dollars and is lower now than at any point between 2000 to when we began exporting in 2016, despite record inflation. “Under President Biden, gasoline prices have gone up 48 percent, home heating oil is up 33 percent, electricity is up 29 percent, and total energy costs are up 39 percent. If this Administration was actually interested in ensuring affordable energy for our constituents—you wouldn’t block leasing on federal lands, raise fees on natural gas producers, or force existing, reliable generation into early retirement.”