Austin News

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, both Republicans from Texas, have introduced the Protect LNG Act. This legislation aims to prevent courts from vacating previously authorized liquefied natural gas (LNG) permits, clarifies the venue for LNG-related lawsuits in federal courts, and requires expedited court decisions in relevant cases.

Senator Cruz stated, "Texas energy producers have made the United States the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world and have created jobs for thousands of Texans. However, fringe environmental groups and politicized courts are threatening those successes, and in the process endangering the development of energy projects across the United States. The Protect LNG Act protects energy producers from these attacks."

Senator Cornyn added, "As the leading producer of oil and natural gas in the nation, Texas plays a key role in supporting thousands of well-paying jobs at home and keeping the lights on across the country. This legislation will help crack down on frivolous lawsuits by left-wing climate activists who seek to weaponize our courts and threaten American energy, and I’m glad to join Sen. Cruz in halting this effort and maintaining Texas’ energy dominance."

The introduction of this bill follows a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that vacated reauthorizations for Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG projects. This decision has put 7,000 jobs at risk and jeopardized $24 billion in investments in the Rio Grande Valley. On September 25, 2024, Senator Cruz sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission urging an appeal against this decision.