Congressman Poe reintroduces bill to speed up LNG exports

U.S. Congressman Ted Poe introduced last week H.R. 428, the Export American Natural Gas Act of 2015.

This bipartisan bill would expedite the Department of Energy approval process for liquefied natural gas exports. Poe also introduced this bill in the 113th Congress.

Recent studies, including those commissioned by the Department of Energy (DOE), indicate a net economic gain if the DOE allowed more LNG exports. In order for US companies to export LNG, companies have to obtain approval from both the DOE and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Unfortunately, DOE has long stalled the approval of applications to export LNG, Poe said in a statement. These delays have resulted in lost business for American companies and lost resources for many of our allies who desperately need an alternative source of energy, according to the statement.

The “Export American Natural Gas Act of 2015” requires a firm deadline – 60 days – for DOE to make a decision, either approve or deny applications. If the DOE does not meet the 60 day deadline, the applications would automatically be approved.

“It is time to remove bureaucratic roadblocks and take the Department of Energy out of the approval process for natural gas exports,” said Poe. “Unnecessary red tape is the only thing standing in the way of the U.S. exporting a resource that it has an abundant supply of, natural gas. Exporting natural gas would grow our economy, create thousands of new jobs and help many of our allies around the world. From an energy security and foreign policy perspective, this is a no brainer. Washington should be supporting, not stonewalling, the development and exportation of this valuable, domestic resource.”

Press Release; Image: poe.house.gov