Expedited approval of applications to export natural gas to certain allies of the United States would be authorized under bicameral legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
“The United States, our partners and our allies should not be dependent on our competitors as an energy source, especially when we have an abundance of natural gas right in our backyard,” Rep. Gonzales said on Feb. 23.
The congressman on Feb. 18 sponsored the Expediting Natural Gas Exports to Allies Act, H.R. 6772, which also would expand the list of countries to which the U.S. could export natural gas. H.R. 6772 has six original GOP cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Liz Cheney (R-WY).
Sens. Cassidy and Rounds on Feb. 16 cosponsored the same-named companion bill, S. 3661, in their chamber.
“Exporting U.S. natural gas strengthens our allies, benefits our economy, and creates good-paying jobs right here in Louisiana,” said Sen. Cassidy. “Not to mention, American natural gas is cleaner burning and produced with less emissions than in Russia.”
“Our allies in Europe and around the world must not be dependent upon Russia to meet their energy needs,” added Sen. Rounds. “This legislation would expedite the approval of natural gas exports to our allies and strategic partners and protect them from Putin’s blackmail.”
Sen. Rounds also said that the nation’s abundant natural resources “are a powerful tool on the world stage,” and the proposed bill would help “bolster job creation in the U.S. energy sector and advance our national security interests.”
Current countries considered allies under the bill are member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan and New Zealand. Countries that would be added to the bill are Cyprus, Finland, Moldova, Sweden, Taiwan and Ukraine. Exports to these countries would be deemed “public interested” through 2026, according to information provided by Rep. Gonzales’ office.
“As we see global tensions increase between Russia and our allies, it’s imperative that we reduce global reliance on energy from all of America’s adversaries,” said Rep. Gonzales. “Increasing natural gas exports will encourage the use of a cleaner fuel source, improve national security, and create American jobs.”