Udall, Landrieu Propose LNG Exports Bill

Mark Udall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced legislation — co-sponsored by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Mary Landrieu — to speed U.S. liquefied natural gas exports and to account for the U.S. Department of Energy’s recently streamlined review process.

Udall’s bill, which builds on his long record of championing Colorado’s leadership in energy development, would require the U.S. Department of Energy to make a decision on pending liquefied natural gas export facilities within 45 days of the completion of environmental analysis. This update is designed to complement and build on new changes to the review process announced by the Department of Energy in late May.

“Colorado’s natural gas has an important role to play in creating jobs and promoting global stability. By speeding up the U.S. Department of Energy’s review of pending liquefied natural gas export facilities, my bill would cut red tape and complement the agency’s newly announced review process,” Udall said. “My legislation also provides the Department of Energy with a common-sense amount of time to consider the environmental and national security implications of each application without unnecessarily delaying the process. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Department of Energy to ensure we do not lose momentum on responsibly leveraging our vast natural gas resources,” added Udall.

The Natural Gas Export Promotion Act of 2014 would:

• Require the Department of Energy to make a final decision on whether an application to export liquefied natural gas is in the national interest within 45 days of the National Environmental Policy Act review being finalized;
• Allows for expedited judicial review if the Department of Energy does not make a decision within 45 days;
• Require the Department of Energy to report to the public the countries to which the liquefied natural gas will be exported.

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Press Release, June 20, 2014