Jason Altmire: Crippling LNG would be a political blunder Biden can’t afford in Pa.

As a Donald Trump/Joe Biden rematch comes into focus, we find ourselves at an important crossroads. The decisions Biden makes between now and the election will impact not only his electoral viability, but also America’s energy independence.

Biden has focused on our commonwealth early and often, already visiting Pennsylvania three times this year alone. He leads his messaging with the economy, a subject that is top of mind for Pennsylvania voters.

From the bipartisan infrastructure bill to efforts to build the nation’s domestic semiconductor industry, the president has worked hard to cultivate an image as one who prioritizes the interests of blue-collar workers.

Equally important, the Biden administration has taken precautions to minimize unforced errors the Trump campaign could easily exploit. That’s why it is so perplexing that Biden’s Department of Energy recently launched a “review” that imposes an unjustifiable moratorium on additional permits for America’s natural gas export industry.

Predictably, Trump immediately pounced on this blunder, proclaiming at a rally in Nevada that he would approve the permits the first day he is back in the White House.

The Biden administration has effectively handed the Trump campaign a winning issue that he will exploit over and over again.

It didn’t have to be this way.

To say the least, banning LNG exports would be catastrophic for Pennsylvania, which is the country’s second-largest producer of natural gas.

The industry is an engine of blue-collar jobs supporting Pennsylvania’s lagging manufacturing economy. As just one example, the proposed LNG export facility in southeastern Pennsylvania is estimated to employ thousands of workers.

However, the overall impact translates even deeper into the economic fabric of Pennsylvania. Because other LNG export facilities are based in Louisiana and Texas, their supply chains stretch back to Pennsylvania, providing a huge economic benefit to the commonwealth’s small businesses.

Additionally, this anti- natural gas review could be a foreign policy disaster.

Pennsylvanians are proud that their natural gas industry has helped meet the energy needs of our allies, especially Ukraine, during uncertain times.

According to a recent poll, 87% of Pennsylvanians believe energy security equates to national security, and two-thirds support expanding LNG exports to create energy sector jobs.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, America’s natural gas industry answered the call, replacing the loss of the Russian natural gas supply at a moment of crisis.

This is an important story that Biden won’t be able to tell the country in his reelection campaign if his administration reverses this key achievement.

There is no margin for error for either candidate in this next election. Biden should reverse this ill-conceived attack on natural gas exports because Pennsylvania, America and our allies can’t afford this irreversible mistake.

Jason Altmire, a Democrat, represented Pennsylvania’s 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007-13.