The Biden-Harris administration is under scrutiny after House Republicans claimed it concealed an internal report that could have undermined its freeze on natural gas export projects. The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a moratorium on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits in January, citing a need for further study. House Oversight Committee leaders now allege that such a study was completed in 2023 and was kept hidden because it didn’t support the administration’s restrictive policy.
Committee Chair Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and other GOP members say the DOE has blocked access to the report, which they argue would demonstrate the benefits of natural gas exports for the U.S. economy and security. The GOP-led oversight committee has demanded that the DOE release all relevant documents and drafts related to the LNG export policy.
The nonprofit group Government Accountability & Oversight initially requested the study through a public records request and eventually filed a lawsuit after the DOE failed to respond. Attorney Chris Horner, representing the group, condemned the DOE’s response, calling it a “full-blown scandal.” Horner claims the concealed study actually promoted LNG exports, showing positive impacts on jobs and national security, which runs counter to the administration’s decision.
The LNG moratorium has faced strong opposition from energy advocates, bipartisan lawmakers, and industry leaders who argue that exporting natural gas is essential for economic growth. A recent study by the American Petroleum Institute suggests that expanding LNG exports could contribute $73 billion to the economy and create over 450,000 jobs by 2040.
