Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is spearheading a legal challenge involving 16 states against President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of Energy. The lawsuit contests the recent decision to halt new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals to non-Free-Trade Agreement countries, a move deemed unlawful by the coalition.
The coalition includes Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming alongside Louisiana. The decision by President Biden and his administration was enacted on January 26, 2024. Critics argue it contradicts the Natural Gas Act and diverges from long-standing agency policy. Notably, six months prior to this decision, the Department of Energy stated there was “no factual or legal basis” for stopping LNG export approvals.
The plaintiff states claim that this ban negatively impacts local communities reliant on LNG investments and harms the energy sector. It is believed that such actions will disrupt natural gas development and production.
Attorney General Murrill expressed concern over the implications for Louisiana's economy: “The Biden administration’s illegal attacks on American energy jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working Louisiana men and women.” She emphasized LNG's economic significance for Louisiana's coastal areas still recovering from hurricanes.
Murrill further criticized the administration's approach to energy policy: “Instead of supporting clean energy production right here at home,” she argued that it undermines both national interests and international stability. The coalition seeks a preliminary injunction to counteract this ban and safeguard Louisiana's energy sector.