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GOP lawmakers take crucial step to 'unlock' American energy to reverse Biden-era 'disaster'

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GOP lawmakers take crucial step to 'unlock' American energy to reverse Biden-era 'disaster'

Newly introduced legislation aims to make it easier to export energy used for warming and lighting up homes in the United States and around the globe.

The “Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025’’ would grant “exclusive authority” to sign off on applications for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and exports to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, moving it away from the Department of Energy.

The Biden administration stopped clearing LNG export applications and put out a study in December warning about potential long-term cost risks as well as environmental concerns, according to Reuters.

TRUMP ADMIN ENDS WAIVER ALLOWING IRAQ TO BUY IRANIAN ELECTRICITY AS PART OF ‘MAXIMUM PRESSURE’ CAMPAIGN

President Donald Trump speaking at Cameron LNG Export Terminal in Hackberry, Louisiana, in 2019. (Scott Clause/USA Today)

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However, South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott, the bill’s Senate sponsor, told Fox News Digital it is critical for various reasons, including national security.

“If you want your prices to go down, your production has to go up,” Scott said.

“I remember back to 2014 when I was still on the Energy Committee […] we had the Lithuania Minister of Energy come before our committee and talk about exporting LNG as a way of sidelining Russia and reducing our dependence on adversaries,” he added. “I’ll never forget that hearing when he was there, it really stuck with me.”

Texas Republican Rep. August Pfluger, the legislation’s House sponsor, shared the potential long-term benefits will “tremendously impact” his central and west Texas district, as the state “is the leading LNG exporter in the United States.”

“This bill will support thousands of new jobs in Texas, from construction and engineering to operations at export terminals along the Gulf. Furthermore, it will give natural gas producers in Texas a more competitive edge in international markets, ensuring that Texas remains a global energy leader,” he said. 

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The Trump administration appears to be excited about the prospect of expanding LNG efforts domestically, as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright both visited a facility in Louisiana last week amid an $18 million investment from its owner, Venture Global. The U.S. currently leads the world in natural gas creation, according to the Department of Energy.

US ‘ENERGY DOMINANCE’: WRIGHT, BURGUM VISIT LOUISIANA LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FACILITY AMID $18B EXPANSION

Accompanied by tugs, the LNG tanker “Hellas Diana” transports a cargo of LNG to the “Deutsche Ostsee” energy terminal on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo: Stefan Sauer/dpa/Sipa USA)

“If you think about the America First strategy, the simple answer is an America Last strategy is depending on foreign adversaries for our energy, whether it’s LNG, oil, gas, whatever it is. So the more we do in America to increase our production, the more we engage in the energy America First strategy,” he said.

The legislation is meant to be a long-term measure to ultimately make it harder for the policies of a specific administration to determine what permits are approved. 

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However, Scott noted in the short term that “having President Trump in office is the most effective weapon.”

FIRED PIPELINE WORKER SAYS REVIVING KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE WILL HELP FAMILIES ‘PROSPER’

A tank car written with “On the move for you: LNG by rail” can be seen before loading at the Elbehafen port in Brunsbuettel, Germany, on April 25, 2016. (Bodo Marks/picture alliance via Getty Images)

“Our goal, of course, is making sure that in the future, no matter who’s in office, that we have in place something that tethers the production to FERC and hopefully avoids the disaster that we saw under the Biden administration – their ability to manipulate the Department of Energy,” Scott added. 

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Last year, legislation under the same title passed the House but did not make it to former President Joe Biden’s desk. 

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Los Angeles, Ca

Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

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Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

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Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Jury says it is deadlocked in trial of man accused in Palisades Fire

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Jury says it is deadlocked in trial of man accused in Palisades Fire

Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.

A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.

Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.

  • A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025.
  • Palisades Fire Suspect

Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.

“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”

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The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.

Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.

“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.

Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.

Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report

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