Biden approves Alaska gas exports as critics condemn another ‘carbon bomb’

Snow-capped mountains reflected in Kenai Lake, outside Cooper Landing in Anchorage. Alaska LNG includes a liquefaction facility on the Kenai peninsula. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The Biden administration on Thursday approved exports of liquefied natural gas from the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, a document showed, prompting criticism from environmental groups over the approval of another “carbon bomb”.

The US energy department approved Alaska Gasline Development Corp’s (AGDC) project to export LNG to countries with which the United States does not have a free trade agreement, mainly in Asia. Backers of the roughly $39bn project expect it to be operational by 2030 if it receives the required permits.