Messaging: 

• H.R. 1130, or Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2023, would strip away the federal government’s responsibility to examine the full impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) expansion on U.S. energy markets, national security, the environment, and local communities that bear the brunt of the buildout of fossil fuel projects. 

• LNG is a risk to our communities, our climate, and our health – and exports empower America’s adversaries, like the Chinese government, while hiking costs for families and businesses. This legislation is a dangerous handout to the fossil fuel industry and will do nothing but make that bad situation worse. 

• H.R. 1130 would make it easier to approve dangerous LNG exports by mandating that FERC deem gas exports in the public interest and removing the first three sections of the Natural Gas Act, which require a public interest determination for LNG exports to countries that are not part of a free trade agreement

• House Republicans are wasting critical time and resources by considering this fossil fuel giveaway instead of passing an appropriations package to avert an unnecessary and disastrous government shutdown. If these Republicans force the government to shut down, people who need food stamps will lose their benefits for numerous days, and the EPA and FDA will be forced to halt inspections at dangerous, polluting sites. 

• LNG export facilities negatively impact communities across the country by worsening the climate crisis, perpetuating environmental injustice, and polluting our air and water – all while raising domestic energy prices just to make higher profits by selling American fuels overseas. It’s critical these factors are taken into account when considering new LNG projects. 

• Climate Impacts: 

• Numerous reports warn that our window to stave off the worst impacts of the climate crisis is rapidly closing – making it critical that permitting decisions take the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of LNG export facilities into account. 

• There are eight existing LNG export facilities and over 20 proposed additional projects, the full buildout of which would contribute to climate change as much as annual emissions from 661 additional coal plants or 532 million cars. 

• LNG exports threaten to undermine – and even counteract – U.S. climate progress. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from United States fossil fuel exports are increasing in amounts greater than the GHG reductions being achieved from domestic climate action like the Inflation Reduction Act. 

• Expanding LNG production threatens the United States’ ability to meet its own greenhouse gas and methane targets.

• Environmental Justice Impacts:

• LNG export facilities are primarily sited in communities of color along the Gulf Coast. 

• Existing and proposed LNG export facilities harm communities that are already overburdened by the fossil fuel industry and the effects of extreme weather driven by the climate crisis – and these communities have little, if any, say in whether these projects are built in their backyards. 

• Consumer Impacts: 

• Exporting LNG overseas causes American families and businesses to pay higher prices for energy at home. Independent experts at the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that LNG exports are “clearly putting a burden on U.S. businesses and homeowners.” 

• Americans are struggling to pay their energy bills. As of July 2023, nearly 25% of Americans reduced or forwent basic expenses such as food and medicine so they could pay their energy bill at least once in the previous year. 

• Americans rank inflation as the top problem facing the country. With rising energy and food prices still keeping inflation high – the issue of cost of living will be top of mind for Americans in 2024. 

• National Security:

• China is one of the top buyers of U.S.-produced LNG. Buying up and controlling the supply of commodities is one of the Chinese government’s main strategies when it comes to exerting their influence over geopolitics. 

• With no destination restrictions on U.S. LNG exports, buyers, like the Chinese government, can turn around and sell American-produced LNG anywhere in the world – including to U.S. enemies.

• Americans are paying the cost for the Chinese government to use American homegrown energy to advance their interests across the globe. 

• It’s critical that the House rejects this reckless bill, and focuses on more pressing matters like the looming government shutdown. Any attempt to weaken laws and regulations for LNG export permitting is a threat to reducing harmful emissions, protecting frontline communities, and lowering energy and consumer prices. 

Social Guidance: 

• H.R. 1130 – or Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2023 – is the latest attempt by fossil fuel-backed elected officials to prioritize industry profits over their own constituents. It’s time to put #PeopleOverPolluters. #NoLNG

• Instead of averting an unnecessary government shutdown, fossil fuel-backed House members are pushing legislation that would make it easier to approve dirty & dangerous liquefied natural gas projects. Congress must focus on putting #PeopleOverPolluters. #NoLNG

• Fossil fuel-backed elected officials are pushing legislation that would deepen CEO & wealthy shareholder pockets at the expense of frontline communities & progress emissions reduction. Congress must put #PeopleOverPolluters & reject H.R. 1130! #NoLNG

• H.R. 1130 is nothing but a handout to the fossil fuel industry that will worsen the climate crisis, perpetuate environmental justice, and raise domestic energy prices by making it easier to approve LNG projects. It’s time to put #PeopleOverPolluters. #NoLNG

• Fossil fuel-backed elected officials are pushing legislation that would threaten national security and raise prices for consumers by making it easier to export LNG to America’s adversaries. Congress must put #PeopleOverPolluters & reject H.R.1130. #NoLNG