Big Sky Times

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with 15 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's ban on new liquified natural gas (LNG) exports. In a statement, the attorneys general highlighted the detrimental impact of the ban, stating, "Not only will the LNG Export Ban cause Plaintiff States direct harm such as loss of jobs and revenue streams tied to LNG, but it will also have detrimental ripple effects on their economies and communities."

The ban, implemented in January by President Biden and the Department of Energy, has raised concerns about its implications on Montana's economy. Attorney General Knudsen emphasized that the decision goes against the Natural Gas Act of 1938, which promotes natural gas exports as being in the best interest of the public. The ban is seen as a threat to the shale gas boom in Montana, which has significantly contributed to job creation and economic growth in the state.

According to the lawsuit, the ban on LNG exports will not only impact job opportunities and revenue streams but will also lead to decreased investment in the natural gas industry and infrastructure. The attorneys general argue that the ban will result in reduced production and loss of specific tax revenues for the plaintiff states involved in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit, led by Louisiana and supported by Attorney General Knudsen and other states including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming, challenges the Biden administration's decision to halt approvals for LNG exports to non-Free-Trade Agreement countries.

The legal action comes in response to concerns about the ban's adverse effects on the economy and communities dependent on natural gas production and export. The attorneys general are urging a reconsideration of the ban, emphasizing the importance of upholding the Natural Gas Act and supporting the continued growth of the natural gas industry.

The lawsuit against the Biden administration's ban on LNG exports highlights the ongoing legal battle between state attorneys general and the federal government over energy policies and regulations.