U.S. Senators introduce LNG exports bill

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine has joined Senator John Barrasso and six other colleagues to introduce the LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act.

The bipartisan legislation will speed up the approval process for exports of liquefied natural gas to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the United States. It specifically requires the Secretary of Energy to make a decision on any LNG export application within 45 days after the environmental review document for the project is published.

“The U.S. natural gas revolution has strengthened our energy independence, bolstered our economic competitiveness, reduced our carbon emissions, and given us a foreign policy tool that can help reduce the world’s energy reliance on hostile regimes,” said Kaine. “This bill gives the U.S. Department of Energy a reasonable 45-day deadline, after it has received the final results of all studies, to determine whether to approve an LNG export proposal. This will strengthen the ability of American companies to strike deals with overseas customers, while maintaining a thorough review process to ensure such projects are in our national interest.”

“LNG exports will create jobs across the country, reduce our nation’s trade deficit, and strengthen the energy security of key U.S. allies who are eager to buy America’s natural gas,” said Barrasso. “Right now, LNG exports are being stalled by Washington red tape and permitting delays. Our bipartisan bill fixes this by creating clear deadlines that force Washington to make timely decisions on these critical energy permits. This is a win-win for our economy and America’s national security interests.”

In addition to Kaine and Barrasso, Senators Cory Gardner, Heidi Heitkamp, Martin Heinrich, John Hoeven, Shelley Moore Capito, and Michael Bennet are original cosponsors of the LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act.

Press Release