President Joe Biden recently announced that his administration would be placing a temporary pause on exports of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) products. During that pause, the Department of Energy (DOE), led by Secretary Jennifer Granholm, will examine the economic and environmental impacts of LNG projects seeking approval to export their product, typically to energy-strapped Europe and Asia.
After the move was announced, Energy Secretary Granholm appeared on CNBC to explain the decision and what the DOE would be doing during the temporary pause. It went less than well for her, as she got fact-checked during live interview.
That came when the “Squawk Box” host referred to Biden’s pledge to put fossil fuel companies out of business, saying, “And that harkens back to the President Biden’s campaign vow to put the fossil fuel business out of business. And he said that, he said, ‘Read my lips, we will put fossil fuels out of business.'”
That’s when Secretary Granholm tried interjecting to defend President Biden. Cutting in, she said, “I did not hear him say that. I think we all do that there be a managed to transition that fossil fuels are not going away in the immediate. That is why the focus on that the US has been such a leader in making sure…” Interjecting, the host quipped, “just look at YouTube,” as Biden did make that campaign trail pledge.
And, calling her out on the policy front as well as the fact front, the Squawk Box host fired back, “How long do you think, Madam Secretary? Do you think I mean, just give me an outside. Do you think it’s 50 years? Or do you think it’s five years because if you’re pausing now, it assumes that we’re going to be able to transition in like five or 10 years. There are people that say it’s going to be at least 50 years for the global economy to be able to operate a can’t operate without fossil fuels. You can’t get fossil fuels without infrastructure.”
Granholm didn’t give an answer. Instead, she mumbled about how the DOE is working tirelessly in an attempt to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” She said, “I am, we are working every day at the Department of Energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Watch Secretary Granholm’s interview here:
And watch Biden’s anti-fossil fuel pledge here:
Explaining the reasoning for the dramatic LNG move in a statement released by the White House, President Biden said, “In every corner of the country and the world, people are suffering the devastating toll of climate change. Historic hurricanes and floods wiping out homes, businesses, and houses of worship. Wildfires destroying whole neighborhoods and forcing families to leave their communities behind. Record temperatures affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, especially the most vulnerable.”
He continued, “From Day One, my Administration has set the United States on an unprecedented course to tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad – securing the largest climate investment in the history of the world, unlocking clean energy breakthroughs that will power a clean economy and create thousands of jobs, advancing environmental justice for all, and rallying world leaders to transition away from the fossil fuels that jeopardize our planet and our people. But more action is needed.”
That statement also attacked “MAGA Republicans,” saying, “While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my Administration will not be complacent. We will not cede to special interests. We will heed the calls of young people and frontline communities who are using their voices to demand action from those with the power to act. And as America has always done, we will turn crisis into opportunity – creating clean energy jobs, improving quality of life, and building a more hopeful future for our children.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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