Scientists have overwhelmingly said that nations must deeply and quickly cut the emissions from burning gas, oil and coal if humanity is to avoid climate catastrophe. And Biden just took a huge step in getting us there.
There was pressure on him from scientists to reject the proposed Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) facility in Louisiana for the export of liquified natural gas (LNG), as Food and Water Watch reports:
More than 150 scientists signed a Dec. 19 letter to Mr. Biden, urging him to reject CP2 and the additional proposed facilities. “The magnitude of the proposed buildout of LNG over the next several years is staggering,” they wrote. Approving new terminals would “put us on a continued path toward escalating climate chaos,” the letter said.
Given the scientific imperative, experts say that it is reasonable to consider climate impacts before building new gas export terminals.
This would be a completely new thing, given that the Energy Department has never rejected a proposed natural gas project because of its expected environmental impact.
But this is Dark Brandon we are talking about. So, per PBS:
White House Said to Delay Decision on Enormous Natural Gas Export Terminal
The Biden administration is pausing a decision on whether to approve what would be the largest natural gas export terminal in the United States, a delay that could stretch past the November election and spell trouble for that project and 16 other proposed terminals, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.
The White House is directing the Energy Department to expand its evaluation of the project to consider its impact on climate change, as well as the economy and national security.
And this may end the whole thing, according to the New York Times:
A delay of many months could jeopardize the financing for CP2. Venture Global LNG has other gas export terminals that have already run into equipment and shipping problems and legal disputes.
That’s exactly the hope of climate activists who launched a social media campaign last fall to urge Mr. Biden to reject CP2.
“We see CP2 as stopping the first fraction of the largest LNG buildout to date,” said Alex Haraus, a 25-year-old Colorado social media influencer who has led a TikTok and Instagram campaign aimed at urging young voters to demand that Mr. Biden reject the project.
This is, rightly, being praised by environmentalists.
Ben Jealous, Executive Director, Sierra Club: “President Biden and Secretary Granholm’s bold step today continues this administration’s historic efforts to meet the global commitment to phase out fossil fuels and confront the climate crisis head on. This decision is a major win for communities and advocates that have long spoken out about the dangers of LNG, and makes it clear that the Biden administration is listening to the calls to break America’s reliance on dirty fossil fuels and secure a livable future for us all.
“Strong leadership, that rejects fossil fuel industry fearmongering, is our best bet to protect communities and ensure energy is affordable. It’s undeniable that LNG export projects are simply not in the public interest, and we are confident that if this review is done right, that would end the rubber-stamping of these projects. The Biden administration is making the right choice on behalf of the planet, our communities, and our national security.” [Statement, 1/26/24]
and
Margie Alt, Director, Climate Action Campaign: “President Biden met this moment on climate, delivering on his promise to slash climate pollution and take measurable steps to protect our environment and future. If the reports are true, this decision to pause the permitting for a massive extracted gas export facility to require the consideration of its climate impacts is exactly the kind of leadership we need from President Biden. Burning more extracted gas makes climate change worse and intensifies extreme weather disasters. Standing up to big polluters, and putting people before profits, is what the president promised and what the president is delivering.” [Statement, 1/24/24]
and
Gene Karpinski, President, League of Conservation Voters: “This is huge. The Biden-Harris administration’s decision to take a deeper look at all the impacts of LNG exports is a major step forward towards protecting our families, our communities, and our climate,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski. “This decision sends a clear signal that the administration is taking the global commitment reached in December to transition away from fossil fuels seriously. No president has done more on climate. From day one executive orders to the historic investments in the Inflation Reduction Act to today’s announcement, President Biden is slashing climate pollution, increasing affordable, renewable energy, and transitioning away from fossil fuels.” [Statement, 1/26/24]
Is there still more work to be done? 100%! Lots more work. But Biden did more than many people guessed could be done. And he deserves a lot of credit. AND he deserves to be re-elected.
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