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Pipes from an LNG terminal in the US state of Maryland
Photo: Gary Cameron / Reuters
With reference to climate change, US President Joe Biden has fundamentally questioned the expansion of the export infrastructure for liquefied natural gas (LNG). On Friday he ordered construction projects for new terminals on US coasts to be put on hold for the time being. It's about recognizing the climate crisis for what it is: "an existential threat," said the head of state.
The USA has massively expanded the production of shale gas in recent years and is therefore now the world's largest exporter of LNG. Seven export terminals are in operation and more are being planned to further expand export capacities. Germany is an important customer.
The CO2 emissions when burning gas to generate energy are significantly lower than, for example, coal. Nevertheless, natural gas is a fossil fuel that, when used, releases CO2 stored sustainably in the ground. The federal government sees gas primarily as a transitional energy source on the path to climate neutrality.
“We must review the export applications in light of the latest economic, environmental and national security analysis,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. The aim is to “better understand the needs of the market, long-term demand and supply as well as environmental factors.” Until then, no new export licenses would be issued.
According to US government officials, four terminal projects for which an application has already been submitted are directly affected by the order. For the time being, no export license can be applied for for other projects that are already underway. Approvals that have already been issued remain valid.
Representatives of the US energy industry wrote to Minister Granholm on Thursday. They argued with jobs that the natural gas industry secures in the USA, as well as with the security of supply in Europe, which has been purchasing significantly less gas from Russia since the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Biden's announcement should be seen in the light of the upcoming presidential election campaign. According to the current situation, the election in November will result in another duel between the Democrat and his Republican predecessor in office, Donald Trump. Trump's Republicans denied the climate crisis, Biden said. This is “threatening the future” for the USA and its citizens. "My government won't stand by."
“A clear signal against fossil gas”
German Environmental Aid (DUH) welcomed the announcement. “For the first time, the LNG export terminals in the USA are being examined for their climate and environmental impacts as well as their human rights violations,” said Federal Managing Director Sascha Müller-Kraenner. The DUH has been campaigning against the construction of further LNG import terminals on the German coasts for months. However, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig rejected an urgent application from the DUH and other organizations against connecting a planned LNG terminal on Rügen to the gas network, as it announced on Friday.
“US President Biden is sending a clear signal against fossil gas,” said Petter Lydén from the Germanwatch organization. “Germany and the EU must take a realistic look at the changing global energy landscape, in which the decision at the last World Climate Conference to move away from fossil fuels is already having an impact,” and quickly reduce their dependence on gas.
dab/AFP/dpa