12 Democrats urge quick approval for new gas exports for Ukraine

A dozen Democrats are urging the Biden administration to quickly approve new projects that can ship natural gas to Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe.

In a new letter sent Friday but announced late Monday afternoon, the lawmakers called for the Energy Department to “prioritize and expedite review of projects” that will supply Eastern Europe with gas.

“We believe that prioritizing and expediting review of LNG projects that will supply Ukraine and Eastern Europe will support geopolitical stability and advance the national security interests of the United States,” wrote the lawmakers.

The letter comes after a court ordered the Biden administration to resume approvals for new gas export projects. 

The administration had previously paused this process in order to evaluate whether it adequately considers impacts, including climate, when it permits companies to ship gas abroad.

After the court order, the administration has approved some new gas exports.  

But the letter highlights a split in the way that Democrats are thinking about gas exports. The 12 lawmakers who signed it appear to approve of gas exports, while climate hawks have raised environmental concerns about such shipments.

Prior to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was a major source of gas used in Europe. After the invasion, Russia cut off much of that supply, and opponents of the invasion imposed sanctions on the fuel. 

The letter was led by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) and was also signed by Reps. Lou Correa (Calif.), Jim Costa (Calif.), Don Davis (N.C.), Chris Deluzio (Pa.), Sylvia Garcia (Texas), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), Mary Peltola (Alaska), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Marc Veasey (Texas) and Susan Wild (Pa.).