Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) said on Monday that the Department of Energy’s (DoE) lack of urgency in regards to improving the approval process for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports was unacceptable.
During an interview with Roll Call on Friday, DoE Secretary Ernest Moniz downplayed criticism from the natural gas industry about the LNG export application approval process.
There are currently 26 LNG export applications in the DoE queue that are awaiting approval.
“I very much disagree with Secretary Moniz that criticism for his department’s lack of urgency in approving LNG export applications is ‘B.S.’,” Gardner said. “And it’s not just industry that has voiced concerns over the current application approval process. The House of Representatives passed my bill to expedite the approval process for LNG export applications with overwhelming bipartisan support, and our allies from around the world have emphasized the importance of United States LNG exports time and time again.”
The Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act would immediately approve LNG export applications that are currently pending with the DoE and make the approval process more transparent. The House approved the bill on June 25.
“The only player that doesn’t believe that the Department of Energy needs to expedite permits to export LNG is the Department of Energy,” Gardner said. “Secretary Moniz’s belligerent tone on the issue shows just how out of touch he truly is.”