A manufacturers trade group has called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to order U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers to reduce exports, amid fears of potential supply shortages this winter. In a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm (pdf) on Sept. 17, Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA), a trade group representing chemical, food, and materials manufacturers, asked the Department of Energy to take “immediate action” and restrict exports of LNG until U.S. inventories increase. “We urge you to take immediate action under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) to prevent a supply crisis and price spikes for consumers this winter by requiring LNG exporters to reduce export rates in order to allow U.S. inventories to reach the 5-year average storage levels,” the letter reads. “U.S. consumers, the health of the economy, and national security should take priority over LNG export profits,” IECA added. The industrial organization also requested that the DOE place a hold on all existing, …