Pfluger, Lawmakers Demand Energy Department Release Withheld Natural Gas Studies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) led a coalition of 45 lawmakers in sending a letter to the Secretary of Energy raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding the Biden-Harris Administration’s handling of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

Pfluger and his colleagues call for answers regarding studies allegedly conducted by the DOE on the economic and environmental impacts of LNG—findings that, according to recent reports, may have been withheld from the public because they highlighted the positive impacts of U.S. LNG on the global energy landscape.

Since President Biden announced an indefinite ban on LNG export permits to non-free trade agreement (FTA) countries in January 2024, U.S. natural gas export projects have stalled. This decision has not only delayed critical energy investments but has also led to diminished energy security for America and its allies. A federal court recently blocked the LNG export ban, underscoring the lack of legal and factual basis for such a measure and casting doubt on the administration’s justifications.

“The DOE’s lack of transparency is deeply troubling and has real-world implications for American energy security and global stability,” Congressman Pfluger said. “The American people and our allies deserve to know why the Biden-Harris Administration imposed an unnecessary ban that is hampering U.S. energy exports and ceding ground to foreign competitors. We are calling on Secretary Granholm and the DOE to answer our questions and produce any analysis or reports that justify this decision. The American public has the right to understand the rationale behind these actions and how they impact our economy, national security, and environment.”

Read the full letter here.

The letter seeks clarification on whether DOE conducted or received LNG studies 2023 and, if so, why its findings were not made public. The lawmakers also question the administration's decision to involve the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in its 2024 review—a move raising concerns about the politicization of LNG export research, as the PNNL traditionally focuses on renewable energy rather than natural gas.

The letter was cosigned by Representatives Mike Carey (OH-15), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Carol D. Miller (WV-1), Dan Meuser (PA-9), Randy Weber (TX-14), Jake Ellzey (TX-6), Darrell Issa (CA-48), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Tracey Mann (KS-1), Michael A. Rulli (OH-6), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-2), Aaron Bean (FL-4), Brett Guthrie (KY-2), Harriet M. Hageman (WY-At-Large), Robert E. Latta (OH-5), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-3), Andrew Clyde (GA-9), Kay Granger (TX-12), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), John R. Carter (TX-31), Virginia Foxx (NC-5), Lance Gooden (TX-5), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (GA-1), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Ralph Norman (SC-5), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Dan Crenshaw (TX-2), Richard Hudson (NC-9), Brian Babin, D.D.S. (TX-36), Pat Fallon (TX-4), Kat Cammack (FL-3), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Morgan Luttrell (TX-8), Rudy Yakym III (IN-2), Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Don Bacon (NE-2), Josh Brecheen (OK-2), Tim Walberg (MI-5), Russ Fulcher (ID-1), Ronny L. Jackson (TX-13), Michael Guest (MS-3), Mike Kelly (PA-16).