Letter to the Editor: Don鈥檛 undermine energy advantage
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West Virginia is the fourth-leading natural gas producer in the nation, providing the affordable, reliable fuel that millions depend on to heat their homes. Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, exports from America's prolific natural gas fields have supplied essential energy to Ukraine and parts of Europe, thus helping to displace Russian gas and supporting global energy security.
While America has aided its allies by exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG), it also has created good jobs across the country -- not only in those states with export facilities.
In West Virginia, the oil and natural gas industry supports more than 73,000 jobs and contributes over $13 billion in economic impact. Expanding production to meet the growing global demand for energy, however, could generate more jobs and economic development for the Mountain State.
Unfortunately, the policy decisions by the White House are undermining our energy sector as well as our national security. In January, the Biden administration halted new and pending approvals of LNG export permits -- a politically motivated move to appease environmental activists.
Pausing permitting for American LNG could give the upper hand to Russia and countries hostile to U.S. interests. In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the U.S. provided critical support by surging more than 800 LNG cargoes to Europe -- a 141% increase from 2021. Limiting future energy exports could be disastrous in the short and long term -- both for the U.S. and our allies.
Biden's latest ban, much like the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline during his first day in office, is motivated by political interests, not the facts. Our strategic energy advantage can help make our nation -- and the world -- more secure.
Trenton C. Barnhart
St. Marys
WV House of Delegates