The directive, included in a broad executive order on energy, directs the Energy Department to resume reviewing applications, which was halted by former president Joe Biden in January 2024 while his administration studied the climate, economic and national security implications of increasing US exports of the fuel.
The study released last month found increased exports would raise natural gas prices for US consumers and increase global emissions, a potential roadblock for speedy permits approvals granted by the Energy Department.
Trump promised during the campaign to immediately lift the moratorium, which has disrupted plans for multi-billion-dollar export projects by Venture Global LNG Inc., Energy Transfer LP and Commonwealth LNG.
A federal judge actually lifted the freeze in July after 16 states filed a lawsuit arguing it violated federal law. But the Energy Department isn’t required to approve permits, which are needed to ship US gas to nations that don’t have free-trade agreements with the US.
