PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Southeast Texas industry leaders met at Lamar State-College Port Arthur to discuss hurdles for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports after the Biden administration ruled to halt approval for new LNG terminals last month.
Congressman Randy Weber made an appearance along with Speaker Dade Phelan and Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie.
Weber spoke during the press conference saying this could have big impacts on jobs and growth in the area.
"I always, always argue that Southeast Texas is the best energy capital of the world, bar none. Just look around!" Weber said.
He's confident that liquefied natural gas exports are key to future growth in Southeast Texas and the nation.
"When we sell LNG to our allies, they know it's reliable, they know it's dependable. It's clean. It's affordable and when they get it from Russia, guess what, it's none of those things," said Weber.
Weber believes the Biden administration's decision is big mistake.
"We've written letters to the president. I've got a letter out right now that says he needs to reverse it. Right now the world is on fire and what the president did was unconscionable, irresponsible and should be reversed," he said.
Phelan also thinks that the decision to halt the building of new LNG terminals will hurt the area.
"It's what builds your roads, your bridges, it's what funds your public education. And to demonize this industry that powers not just the state, the nation, the country, the world it puts a roof over our head in Port Arthur and all through Southeast Texas. It's just wrong. It's hypocritical. It's unadvised," he said.
Bartie stood alongside Weber and Phelan at the press conference.
"I don't think there's going to be some ill-effect on the environment because of the growth of LNG and Port Arthur being the export king of this LNG product for the entire world," Bartie said.
They say they're wanting to keep Southeast Texas on the frontlines of energy export.
12News reached out to Weber's opponent, democrat Rhonda Hart and she had this say, "I was unaware of a press conference today. But I'm not surprised that my opponent slammed President Biden. He does not miss a chance to do that."