Proposed Bill Mandates Near-Total Ban on U.S. Natural Gas Exports to Cut Household Energy Costs by Up to $122 Annually

This bill, the "Lowering American Energy Costs Act of 2025," aims to tackle rising utility bills by putting a massive speed bump on U.S. natural gas exports. The core idea is simple: if we keep more of our natural gas here, supply goes up and prices drop. The bill mandates the President to issue a rule that effectively prohibits the export of natural gas produced in the United States, with the explicit goal of keeping domestic energy costs low. This is a direct response to findings cited in the bill that suggest unconstrained exports could increase wholesale domestic gas prices by 31% by 2050, costing the average household up to $122 more per year on gas and electricity.

The Export Ban: What’s the Catch?

For the busy person, this means your winter heating bill and summer AC costs could stabilize or even drop, which is a big deal when inflation is hitting everything from groceries to rent. The bill is pretty clear: stop the exports, lower the price. It’s a major intervention into the energy market, essentially reversing the trend of the U.S. becoming the world’s largest LNG exporter. The bill cites recent data showing U.S. households paid $12 billion more for natural gas between January and September 2025 compared to the previous year, highlighting the urgency behind this move.

The National Security Loophole and Congressional Gridlock

While the bill calls for a prohibition, it does include some narrow escape routes. The President can allow exemptions for exports that are deemed consistent with the national interest, won’t unreasonably raise costs for residential consumers, or are critical for national security or strategic allies. This is where things get complicated. If the President wants to send gas to a key ally like Germany or Japan, they can propose it, but here’s the kicker: Congress must approve that exemption via a joint resolution before it takes effect. This legislative check on executive authority could easily lead to political gridlock. Imagine a global energy crisis where a critical ally needs U.S. gas immediately—that quick response could be held up indefinitely while Congress debates the resolution, potentially straining key international relationships.

Impact on Workers and Industry

For domestic consumers and the U.S. industrial sector—think manufacturing plants and factories—this bill is designed to be a win. Lower energy costs mean lower operating expenses, which could translate into more competitive pricing for U.S.-made goods and potentially more stable jobs. The bill explicitly notes the industrial sector stands to save $125 billion by 2050 if exports are curtailed. However, this is a massive blow to the natural gas producers and the entire LNG export industry. If you work in pipeline construction, terminal operations, or any related field built around the export boom, this prohibition slams the brakes on your industry. Furthermore, the environmental findings—that natural gas infrastructure causes negative health outcomes and that methane is a dangerous greenhouse gas—provide a secondary benefit by reducing the incentive to build new infrastructure solely for export purposes.