Scott, fellow Senate Republicans move to reverse Biden’s pause on Liquid Natural Gas exports

Republican Sen. Tims Scott is attempting to overturn President Joe Biden’s recent pause on liquified natural gas export approvals.

Scott, of South Carolina, on Wednesday introduced the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act.

If passed and signed into law, the measure will eliminate the Energy Department requirement to authorize LNG exports to nations without a free-trade agreement with the U.S., which includes those in Europe.

Currently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorizes the building of LNG import and export terminals, and the DOE approves the export licenses.

If the Senate passes the LNG act and the president signs it into law, FERC will become the sole authority for the approval process.

“President Biden’s move to halt American energy exports is pure politics. In fact, exporting U.S. natural gas would actually lower global emissions,” Scott said.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a companion bill last year, and GOP Rep. Cathy Rodgers, the panel's chairwoman, told Bloomberg that a final vote will take place later this month.

Scott’s bill has 16 Republican co-sponsors. However, the measure faces tough odds for passage and Biden signing it into law, considering Democrats control the Senate and Biden has already made clear his position on the matter.