United States President Joe Biden increases LNG exports to Europe as they deal with an energy crisis with Germany and other E.U. nations trying to decrease their dependence on fossil fuels from Russia.
Shipments are expected to increase by 15 cubic meters this year, according to a report from EnergyWire.
“This build-out will occur in a way that is consistent with, not in conflict with, the net-zero climate goal that we’re shooting for," President Biden said.
European officials were also excited about the new collaboration.
"Tomorrow, together with President Biden, we will present a new chapter in our energy partnership" Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said. “It is about additional LNG from the United States for the European Union, thus replacing the Russian LNG we had so far, an important step forward.”
Other leaders were pleased with the possibilities this cooperation creates for hydrogen energy.
"We know the E.U. has some pretty ambitious goals around hydrogen, as it should because it will be crucial for decarbonizing industry, aviation, freight, all of these applications you can’t easily electrify" Lindsey Walter, deputy director for Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program, said. "There needs to be some acknowledgment that we don’t produce clean hydrogen at scale yet today.”
Conversely, some environmental watchdogs were warier.
“President Biden should firmly reject any plans to fast track gas export terminals here in the United States" Mitch Jones, managing director of policy at Food & Water Watch, said in a statement. "Corporate polluters are brazenly seizing on this crisis to secure decades of dependence on dirty energy, which will further devastate frontline communities and abandon any hopes for bold climate action.”
