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Fossil Fuels

New Study on U.S. Natural Gas Exports

By experts and staff

Published
  • Michael Levi
    David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment and Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

Booming U.S. shale gas production has prompted a series of firms to apply for permission to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. This prospect has become controversial: some see an opportunity to gain from trade and to shake up global gas markets; others fear environmental damage, higher consumer costs, and lost manufacturing competitiveness.

In a new paper published today by The Hamilton Project, I carefully assess each of these issues, as well as several others, providing a comprehensive look at the likely costs, benefits, and consequences of allowing LNG exports.

I ultimately conclude that the United States should allow LNG exports. I also argue that it should take several steps to mitigate resulting risks and capture opportunities arising from allowing exports.

You can read the paper here.

I won’t rehash all of its arguments – but I do want to highlight a few interesting bits:

I’ll have more to say on some individual elements of the report in the next couple weeks. For now, though, I encourage you to read it here.