Biden Takes the Climate Fight to the Oil & Gas Lobby
For climate voters wondering how hard to fight for Joe Biden, this action proves that he is still answering the bell for us
This morning, President Biden paused new permits for LNG exports. That may not sound like a big deal, but it is. As climate warrior Tiernan Sittenfeld (LCV) said today, it’s a BFD — a Big Fossil Defeat. Here’s why.
First, the president is leaning into a new round of climate action, finding an even higher gear on his climate action bike.
“This pause on new LNG approvals sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time.” - Biden
While acknowledging that Biden has done far more than any other president to combat the climate crisis, I have been publicly critical of their slow response to the oil & gas industry’s big plans, which include dumping more and more toxic pollution on frontline communities and exporting vast amounts of carbon and methane pollution overseas.
It would have been easy for Biden to rest on his laurels after securing a massive climate legislative package to boost clean energy, not to mention the important regulations EPA is working on to clean up smokestacks and tailpipes. But Biden isn’t like any president before, and today he pedaled his bike right through the political wall that has stopped presidents before him: taking the climate fight to the oil & gas industry.
As I told the AP for their story today, Biden is drawing a line in the sand to put the nation’s interests first and listen to climate science. The days of massive fossil fuel projects escaping scrutiny are over because we have a president who cares deeply about climate.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm deserves a ton of credit here as well. Knowing she would be attacked fiercely, Granholm nevertheless pushed this plan to do the right thing and follow the facts.
Second, I am confident that the next wave of LNG expansions will be stopped under Biden because these projects cannot withstand the clear-eyed scrutiny that the president has pledged.
As you know too well, I can write at length about the facts on this, but I will spare you and instead refer to my previous post here and my US LNG report here.
It would be understandable to wonder if this “pause” is an attempt to dodge the tough issues. However, today’s action is strong. Biden announced more than a pause. He announced a plan to reboot how the government scrutinizes LNG projects, a necessary precursor before any permits can be denied. Moving more quickly would empower the oil & gas lobby’s ranks of lawyers, forcing DOE to rely on analysis from the Trump era when the administration was actively undermining global efforts to reduce climate pollution. An update that takes into account US climate commitments under President Biden is a critical step.
Third, I am confident in the power of the unified coalition that has mobilized to wrest power away from the oil & gas lobby.
President Biden is listening to frontline communities, climate scientists, and the voters who elected him. These are the words from Biden today that ring loudest in my ears:
“We will heed the calls of young people and frontline communities who are using their voices to demand action from those with the power to act.” - Biden
This is a commitment that we can hold him to. Our power starts with the leaders living in the frontline communities who have fought to tell the truth and share their stories, inspiring me and so many others. It includes members of Congress who were willing to challenge a president from their own party to do better. It includes scientists, environmentalists, green groups, and watchdogs.
HOWEVER, there is one thing that can make this all disappear and put oil & gas corporations back in charge: the November elections.
Today, President Biden put Trump’s “approved” rubber stamp in the trash can. The oil & gas lobby will do everything they can to make sure Trump gets another turn in the Oval Office to do their bidding.
The stakes of the upcoming election are clearer than ever.
Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s press secretary, came out swinging today, saying Biden "has once again caved to the radical demands of the environmental extremists in his administration.”
To Trump, the very concept of scrutinizing fossil fuel projects is offensive.
Not surprisingly, I see it differently. I see a powerful grassroots movement that has given Biden the political space to do the right thing despite deep-pocketed attacks from an oil & gas lobby that is rolling in money.
I am heartened that there is favorable public support for Biden’s move, as shown in this poll:
Independent voters favor this move by a two-to-one margin. And for climate voters wondering how hard to fight for Joe Biden, this action proves that he is still answering the bell for us and for a livable planet.