AGA Statement Regarding Ban On Russian Energy Imports to the U.S.
Washington, D.C. – American Gas Association (AGA) President and CEO Karen Harbert made the following statement regarding the announcement by President Biden today that his administration is banning Russian oil, natural gas and coal imports to the U.S.:
“Our natural gas abundance and vast delivery infrastructure is a source of strength at home and abroad. This ban is not likely to impact natural gas prices for the 187 million Americans that use natural gas in their homes and enjoy affordable and relatively stable prices because of investments made by their natural gas utilities and policymakers. The greatest impact might be to customers in the northeast in states that have been prevented from building out their natural gas infrastructure to meet growing demand. This short-sighted policy approach has forced them to compete in the international market for LNG.”
On background:
- According to EIA, zero LNG cargoes directly from Russia have been delivered in the U.S. since 2016. Some Russian LNG has made it to the US via the UK but in minimal amounts.
- Approximately 60 percent of the LNG that comes to the U.S. arrives at the Everett Terminal in Boston and most of that comes from Norway and Trinidad and Tobago.
- LNG exports worldwide are near capacity: Australia exports about 10.5 Bcf/d, Qatar 10 Bcf/d, and the US 12.5 Bcf/d – all at or near capacity.
- Calcasieu Pass is already open (mostly), and no additional terminals are scheduled to open soon, so domestic export capacity will not grow a lot in the short term.
- Europe’s LNG import terminals are also at near capacity.