Duval Times

Sen. Rick Scott, along with Senator Marco Rubio and members of the Florida Delegation in the House of Representatives, sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing their concerns about the Biden administration's pause in approving permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects, particularly in the state of Florida. The letter highlights the potential economic, environmental, and national security consequences of this pause.

The letter emphasizes Florida's pivotal role in U.S. LNG exports and the direct impact that any decisions made in this regard will have on the state's economy and security. It calls for a thorough consideration of Florida's unique circumstances and advantages in shaping national policy on LNG exports.

The senators and representatives stress the importance of U.S. LNG exports in contributing to global energy security. They point out that nearly half of U.S. LNG exports have been directed to Europe, especially during critical times such as Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The absence of U.S. LNG exports would force European nations to choose between depriving their citizens of energy or supporting Russia through energy dependence.

The letter also highlights the impact of U.S. LNG exports on Asia, where they have significantly contributed to the energy security of countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and India. It emphasizes that Florida's role in exporting LNG extends beyond regional boundaries and makes a substantial contribution to global energy stability.

Furthermore, the senators and representatives raise concerns about the environmental implications of restricting American LNG exports. They argue that limiting American LNG exports would encourage malign regimes with less stringent environmental regulations, such as Russia, China, Venezuela, and Iran, to increase energy production and discourage the use of clean forms of energy. This would hamper global emission reduction goals and diminish the impact of U.S. and global sanctions.

The economic benefits of U.S. LNG exports are also highlighted in the letter. It states that increased exports of U.S. LNG could create jobs and boost GDP. The senators and representatives emphasize that the pause in approving LNG export permits puts future job development in Florida on hold.

In conclusion, the letter urges President Biden to reconsider the pause on LNG export permits and to align his policy review with the real-world needs of the country. It calls for the continuation of the LNG export review process while the new green climate activist political appeasement review is undertaken. The senators and representatives emphasize that the security of the nation, partnership with allies, progress on emissions reduction, stability of global energy markets, and future job development should not be put on hold.

Overall, the letter from Senator Rick Scott and members of the Florida Delegation highlights the concerns about the pause on LNG export permits and its potential consequences for Florida, the nation, and global energy security.