Federal Judge Overturns DOE’s LNG Export Approval Freeze, Reigniting Controversy Over Fossil Fuel Policies and Climate Risks.

A federal judge has overturned the Department of Energy’s freeze on new liquefied natural gas export approvals, effective immediately. This decision was a victory for industry and red states who had challenged the Biden administration’s plan. The department had halted reviews of new LNG export applications to non-free-trade-agreement countries in January, stating it needed to review climate risks before approving exports. The court’s decision does not force DOE to approve LNG applications but requires the department to restart the process of considering them. The decision was criticized by environmentalists who had criticized President Biden’s fossil fuel record.