LNG Exports Could Cost Pennsylvanians up to $16 Billion More in Energy Costs

November 25, 2024

LNG Exports Could Cost Pennsylvanians up to $16 Billion More in Energy Costs

Higher prices caused by increased methane gas exports risks Trump energy shock for state's economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Pennsylvania's households, businesses, and owners of electric power plants could pay up to $16 billion more because of higher natural gas prices between 2035 to 2050 if the Trump administration approves gas export permits put on hold by the Biden administration, according to a new report released today by Public Citizen.

Should President-elect Donald Trump quickly approve pending applications to export natural gas, Pennsylvanians will be on the hook for a increase in their energy prices-and more exposure to volatile international energy markets. The state's electric power sector and its customers, already coping with overreliance on expensive fossil fuel generators, would bear the brunt of the increase, with Pennsylvania's gas-fired power plants paying up to an additional $7.4 billion for gas over 15 years.

According to the report, the impact wouldn't stop there, with energy price hikes impacting industrial natural gas consumers, costing them an additional $4 billion, residential gas utility consumers an additional $2 billion and commercial consumers an extra $1 billion.

More than half of Pennsylvania households use natural gas as the main fuel to heat their homes. Over one-quarter of U.S. households are experiencing energy insecurity, including having difficulty paying energy bills, skipping necessities such as food and medicine, or keeping their homes at unsafe temperatures because of an inability to pay for energy.

"Pennsylvania consumers should prepare for a Trump energy shock as fossil fuel exporters profit at their consumers' expense," said Alan Zibel, a research director at Public Citizen and the report's author."Ramping up gas exports has already caused major negative consequences for consumers. The incoming Trump administration will advance a massive expansion of fossil fuel exports, delivering higher energy bills to the people of Pennsylvania."

The average winter heating bill for gas users in the Northeast is expected to rise nearly 11%, driving the average bill up to $844 for the winter of 2024-2025 and nearly 22% of American households were behind on their gas bill as of June 2024, up from 19% a year earlier, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

The U.S. has become the world's largest methane gas exporter, with seven LNG terminals operating and five more are under construction. Export is expected to double by 2028, despite opposition from local communities suffering serious health impacts.

"If Trump approves pending LNG export authorizations that the Biden administration temporarily halted earlier this year, China will be the big winner and Pennsylvania families will be stuck paying higher prices despite record production," said Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program. "The gas export fiasco benefits fracking executives and owners of export terminals while sticking American families and small business owners with the bill."

# # #