The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power advanced on Wednesday legislation authored by Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) to pave the way for liquefied natural gas exports.
The Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act will next advance to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.
“(Wednesday’s) vote was an important next step for the future of LNG exports,” Gardner said. “Our allies around the world are looking to the United States to help provide a more secure energy future, and we have the excess natural gas to provide that for them. Opposing this legislation would be like hanging up on a 911 call from our friends and allies abroad.”
The measure would grant immediate approval of completed export applications that have been filed with the Department of Energy. It would also streamline the approval process for future export applications.
“This bill will help many of our allies and trading partners all over the world, while providing jobs and economic growth here at home,” Gardner said. “LNG exports can truly be both a foreign policy success story and an economic policy success story, and comes at a time we can use a heck of a lot more of both.”
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) said the bill would “greatly” reduce delays in the LNG export approval process and boost the U.S. economy.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said the bill is a “win-win” because it would create jobs and send a message of support to the rest of the world.