TCU Neeley professor and energy expert, Tom Seng, provides perspective on a lawsuit filed by 16 states against the Biden administration's decision to pause new liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
April 04, 2024
By Amber Billops
In a recent interview on FOX 7 Austin, Tom Seng, assistant professor of professional practice in energy finance and a leader in TCU Neeley’s Ralph Lowe Energy Institute, shed light on the significance of liquified natural gas (LNG), emphasizing its role as a highly concentrated form of natural gas, liquefied for ease of transportation.
“The whole idea behind that is it's an ease of transportation. So, for instance, an ocean-going LNG tanker would hold the equivalent of 3,000,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas, but in liquid form,” Seng said. “Liquefied natural gas contains about 600 times the energy of just regular natural gas in vapor form.”
Discussing the Biden administration's decision, Seng highlighted the political undertones, suggesting that the move represents a shift in regulatory criteria, requiring LNG export projects to undergo scrutiny based on their environmental and security impacts. He argued that this change disrupts established processes and poses challenges to future LNG endeavors, despite ongoing efforts to expand LNG infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Seng expressed skepticism about the lawsuit's outcome, anticipating a complex legal battle between state governments and federal agencies.
“We have to realize that we're going to be relying on fossil fuels for quite some time,” Seng said.
Seng characterized the administration's decision as a symbolic gesture, acknowledging the complexities of energy policy and the competing interests at play. While environmental considerations are paramount, he cautioned against overlooking the immediate reliance on fossil fuels, urging a nuanced approach to energy transition.
