USA: Senators Urge DOE to Expedite LNG Permit Applications

July 11, 2013

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), along with a bipartisan group of 32 Senators sent a letter to Secretary of Department of Energy (DOE) Ernest Moniz urging the department to prioritize and expedite decisions on permit applications to export Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

In the letter, the Senators wrote: “We appreciate the attention you have already given this topic since your confirmation last month. However, we are concerned that the timeline for considering these applications may jeopardize our ability to retain a competitive position against other natural gas exporting nations who are also working diligently to export LNG. The fact is there is a global race for market share underway. American competitors have been at a disadvantage for the past year and a half because DOE has delayed action on pending applications. We are hopeful and optimistic that DOE will now pursue a winning strategy that allows the U.S. to compete effectively in this global market.”

“Expediting our country’s liquefied natural gas to the global market is a win for American jobs and for our own national security,” said Inhofe. “My colleagues on both sides of the aisle recognize the economic and environmental importance of this abundant natural energy resource just as we have seen in Oklahoma. By exporting LNG, the U.S. can also fill a void where the international community is working to diversify its energy resources in order to reduce its dependency on Iranian oil.”

“The economic and national security benefits of exporting LNG to our allies are clear to folks on both sides of the aisle.” said Begich. “Now is the time to give American producers and investors the certainty they need to responsibly increase production and markets the certainty to make billion dollar investments to move our economy forward. I urge Secretary Moniz to expedite the decision process for LNG export applications.”

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LNG World News Staff, July 11, 2013