[TOPEKA-February 7, 2024] A Biden administration pause on the export of liquified natural gas (LNG) will embolden Iran and Russia and hamper the U.S.’s ability to protect itself, according to a letter penned by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and joined by 22 other state's AGs.

“The Biden administration is putting America last by catering to climate extremists,” Kobach said. “The national security and economic interests of Americans should be the President’s top concern.”

The attorneys general oppose a Biden announcement to indefinitely cease the export of natural gas.

 “This surprise freeze is unlawful, harmful to our economy, and detrimental to our national security,” the letter reads.

The U.S. is the largest producer of LNG, and if its market is closed, consumers will be forced to turn to other suppliers. Russia, Iran, and China are the next largest producers of LNG, and they do not share American interests or values, the letter reads.

The AGs also warn that the Department of Energy lacks the authority to issue blanket denials for export permits without an act of Congress. Additionally, the Department of Energy didn’t allow anyone the opportunity to weigh in on the regulatory change.

“(The pause is) the exact type of substantive rule that needs to go through notice and comment,” the attorneys general write in the letter.

The attorneys general urged the Biden administration to change course on the temporary export pause immediately.

Attorneys general from Kansas, Indiana, Louisiana, and West Virginia, lead the letter. They were joined by attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming joined the letter.

A copy of the letter is available here.