Executive Summary/TL;DR
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized its Response to Comments on the 2024 LNG Export Study on May 19, 2025, marking a critical step toward resuming and expanding U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
This action reverses the Biden administration’s 2024 pause on LNG export permits, which was undermined by the suppression of a 2023 DOE study showing minimal environmental impact and global emissions benefits from LNG exports.
Eliminating the rigid seven-year export deadlines and streamlining approvals allows the DOE, under Energy Secretary Chris Wright, to reinforce U.S. energy leadership, driving economic growth, and strengthening global alliances.
This article examines these policy shifts and their implications for America’s energy future.
Introduction
The United States is poised to reclaim its position as a global energy leader. On May 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its Response to Comments on the 2024 LNG Export Study, signaling a return to robust LNG export policies. This follows the DOE’s April 2025 decision to eliminate restrictive seven-year start deadlines for LNG projects, addressing bureaucratic hurdles that have delayed critical energy infrastructure. These actions undo the Biden administration’s January 2024 pause on LNG export permits, which was based on a suppressed 2023 DOE study that highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of LNG exports. Drawing on official DOE statements and prior analyses from Nathan’s Newsletter, this article explores the significance of these developments for U.S. energy policy, economic prosperity, and global influence.
Reversing the Biden-Era LNG Pause
In January 2024, the Biden administration halted new LNG export permits, citing environmental concerns. However, as reported in Nathan’s Newsletter on March 19, 2025, this decision was marred by the suppression of a 2023 DOE study, Energy, Economic, and Environmental Assessment of U.S. LNG Exports. Completed in September 2023 but withheld until December 2024 under pressure from the House Oversight Committee, the study found that U.S. LNG exports have minimal environmental impact and could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by displacing coal in international markets. The delay in releasing this study sparked accusations of political manipulation, as it contradicted the rationale for the permit pause.
The 2024 LNG Export Study, released in December 2024 with a public comment period through March 20, 2025, further validated these findings. According to the DOE’s May 19, 2025, announcement, the study and public comments confirm that the U.S. possesses a robust natural gas supply capable of supporting increased exports without significantly affecting domestic prices. LNG exports also drive economic growth by boosting gross domestic product, creating jobs (over 120,000 in 2023), and improving the U.S. trade balance. Additionally, the study underscores the strategic importance of LNG exports in enhancing energy security for U.S. allies, with no discernible increase in global emissions.
Streamlining LNG Export Approvals
On April 1, 2025, the DOE eliminated a Biden-era rule imposing a rigid seven-year start deadline for LNG export projects, replacing it with case-by-case flexibility. As highlighted in Nathan’s Newsletter, this policy shift addresses delays that have hindered projects like Rio Grande LNG, which has faced a decade-long permitting process since 2016 due to regulatory challenges, including court remands over climate and environmental justice concerns. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has complemented these efforts, approving expansions such as Corpus Christi’s 170 Bcf/y trains and Golden Pass in March 2025. Under Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who approved four major LNG projects by March 2025, the DOE is aligning with a vision of energy dominance, free from bureaucratic constraints.
This flexibility is critical for maintaining the U.S.’s position as the world’s leading LNG exporter. According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. LNG exports are projected to exceed 15 Bcf/d in 2025. By removing rigid deadlines, the DOE enables projects to navigate complex regulatory processes, ensuring that America’s energy infrastructure keeps pace with global demand.
Economic and Strategic Benefits
The DOE’s recent policy shifts have significant implications for the U.S. economy and global standing. The 2024 LNG Export Study confirms that expanding LNG exports drives economic growth by creating high-paying jobs and strengthening the trade balance. In 2023, the LNG industry supported over 120,000 jobs, a number expected to grow as new projects come online. Strategically, LNG exports enhance U.S. influence by providing allies, particularly in Europe, with a reliable alternative to Russian gas, thereby reducing geopolitical vulnerabilities.
The environmental case for LNG exports has also gained clarity. The suppressed 2023 DOE study demonstrated that LNG exports could reduce global emissions by displacing coal, challenging the narrative that underpinned the Biden administration’s permit pause. The 2024 study reinforces this, positioning U.S. LNG as a pragmatic solution for addressing global energy demand while maintaining environmental responsibility.
Alignment with Broader Energy Policy
The DOE’s actions align with a broader deregulatory agenda under the Trump administration. In March 2025, EPA Administrator Lee's 31 regulatory rollbacks reduced costs and enhanced energy affordability, complementing the DOE’s efforts to streamline LNG exports. Together, these initiatives signal a commitment to leveraging America’s abundant natural gas resources to drive economic prosperity and global leadership. With 48 Bcf/d of LNG export capacity authorized and more projects in development, the U.S. is well-positioned to redefine the global energy landscape.
Conclusion
The DOE’s finalization of the 2024 LNG Export Study and the elimination of rigid export deadlines mark a turning point in U.S. energy policy. By addressing the Biden administration’s suppression of critical evidence and bureaucratic barriers, the Trump administration is unleashing America’s LNG potential. These actions strengthen the U.S. economy, enhance national security, and position the nation as a leader in meeting global energy demand. As the DOE moves forward with issuing final orders on pending LNG export applications, the U.S. is poised to solidify its role as a global energy powerhouse.
Call to Action
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Sources
Nathan’s Newsletter. (2025, March 19). Biden Suppressed LNG Study and Undermined American Energy Strength.
Nathan’s Newsletter. (2025, April 1). DOE Ditches LNG Export Deadlines, Supercharging America’s Energy Edge.
Bloomberg. (2025, March 19). Shelved Biden Study Found Pollution Impact of LNG Exports Minor.
Reuters. (2024, December 17). Biden Administration Releases LNG Export Study Urging Caution on New Permits.
The sad part is that Speaker Johnson was talking to Biden, and he did not even remember that he banned the LNG. This is a correction to only one part of the horrible fraud.