Russia鈥檚 Targeting of Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure Shows Need to Lift Ban
Russia鈥檚 missile attack on Ukraine last Saturday hit vital energy infrastructure, underscoring the need for the Biden administration to lift its more than three-month-old ban on U.S. liquefied natural gas export permits.
What鈥檚 going on: 鈥淭he [missile] attack targeted 鈥榯he power grid and the gas transit system, particularly the gas infrastructure that ensures the security of deliveries to the EU,鈥欌 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said (, subscription).
- 鈥淩ussia has intensified its assaults against Ukrainian power stations in recent weeks, and its missiles are now also hitting gas storage facilities that were used by some EU companies last winter to prevent energy shortages.鈥
- The strikes also hit four thermal plants in Ukraine and injured a worker.
Why it鈥檚 important: 鈥淲ith Russia targeting energy supplies in Europe, it is critical that we lift the ban on LNG exports so the United States can fill any unexpected gaps,鈥 said 17吃瓜在线 Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin. 鈥淟ifting the moratorium is a national and energy security issue.鈥
What Americans want: People in the U.S. overwhelmingly support natural gas exports, a recent found, with 87% of respondents saying the U.S. should continue to export the energy source.