AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) has created a committee to look at the President's recent pause on future LNG export permits.
Phelan's office announced the creation of the five member House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports in a Monday morning news release.
The committee will be led by Representative Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) and also includes Representatives Christian Manuel (D-Beaumont), Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa), Mary Ann Perez (D-Houston) and Cody Vasut (R-Angleton) according to the release.
The committee is tasked with "analyzing the federal government’s legal authority to take such action; assessing the potential economic, environmental and social impacts on the state; identifying strategies to mitigate negative consequences on the LNG industry, the state’s energy sector and Texas economy; and making recommendations to address the challenges posed by a federal suspension," according to the news release.
Committee members are to submit their report including any actions to address the federal suspension of the export permits by May 13, 2024, according to the news release.
“President Biden’s abrupt decision earlier this year to pause pending approvals of LNG export projects will likely have significant economic implications for Texas, and it is important we fully understand what a prolonged pause would mean for our state’s thriving energy sector," Phelan said according to the release.
The Biden administration announced the delay on any decisions for future LNG export facilities in late January 2024.
The delay means means that phase two of Sempra's Port Arthur LNG facility could be put on hold.
"It's what builds your roads, your bridges. It's what funds your public education," Phelan said.
Phelan believes the administration made a poor decision when it halted all future LNG exports.
"To demonize this industry that powers not just the state, the nation, the country, the world, it's just wrong. It's hypocritical. It's ill-advised," he said.
The Biden administration faced intense pressure from environmentalists, but many in the energy industry are condemned the White House's decision.
Phelan said at the time of the announcement that he feared the decision could cost the region hundreds of good jobs. But supporters said it would preserve the health of the community for future generations.
Phase 1 construction of Sempra's Port Arthur LNG plant is ongoing and unaffected by the president's recent move. But Phelan says phase 2 could be tied up in legal limbo, putting future progress in jeopardy.
"He's taking a big risk here with this and I think it's going to backfire on him," Phelan said in January.
Phelan said in January that the Biden administration was caving in to pressure from environmentalists in exchange for votes in November.
"This is classic election year pandering," Phelan said. "He's done all he can to shut down coal, now he's doing all he can to shut down natural gas and LNG. He wants to move everything to wind, solar, which, again, is not feasible."
Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bill Bartie stands firmly with Phelan against the Biden administration's decision.
"I will not, I am not going to be apart of something that would call for the total eradication of an industry that can sustain my city for the next 125 years," Bartie said.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.