Biden pauses new LNG export projects in win for climate activists

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- U.S. President Joe Biden paused pending approvals of exports from new liquefied natural gas projects on Friday, a move cheered by climate activists that could delay decisions on new plants until after the Nov. 5 election.

The Department of Energy will conduct a review during the pause that will look at the economic and environmental impacts of projects seeking approval to export LNG to Europe and Asia where the fuel is in hot demand.

The review will take months and then will be open to public comment which will take further time, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters in a teleconference.

Biden said in a statement: "During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America's energy security, and our environment." He said the pause "sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time."

Administration officials vowed the pause would not hurt the country's allies, saying the plan will come with exemptions for national security should they need more LNG.

"We are committed to strengthening energy security here in the U.S. and with our allies," Granholm said.

Companies and countries in Europe are worried about steady supplies of U.S. gas as the region tries to wean itself off pipelined gas from Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. allies in Asia also covet LNG as they seek to slow coal consumption.

The last review of LNG export projects was in 2018 when export capacity was 4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd). That capacity has tripled, with the U.S. becoming the world's top LNG exporter last year, and is set to shoot higher by 2030 with projects under construction.

The growth has set off protests from environmentalists, part