US House of Reps Passes LNG Exports Permitting Measure

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday, which includes LNG exports provisions that will streamline the Department of Energy permit application process for new LNG export terminals.

As a result, the permitting process for LNG exports would be reviewed within a 30-day deadline by the DOE, with 30 days more to issue a decision, thus speeding up the overall process.

“U.S. LNG exports will create American jobs, significantly strengthen the global energy marketplace, and bolster our strategic alliances,” said Executive Vice President of the American Petroleum Institute (API) Louis Finkel.

“It’s time for our nation to fully embrace the vast economic and geopolitical opportunities unleashed by the energy renaissance. U.S. LNG exports ensure that consumers across the globe have access to stable, diverse energy supplies, protect America’s role as a global energy leader, further enhance national security in the homeland and help our allies break dependence on nations that use their energy resources as a political weapon.”

According to API, this is one of several ongoing bipartisan efforts in the House and Senate to get this critical piece of legislation signed by the president.