Capito joins GOP colleagues to unveil Natural Gas Export Expansion Act

As European countries rapidly search for new sources of clean, reliable energy, a bill recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and four of her GOP colleagues would expedite the federal approval process for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and increase free trade.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has only further highlighted the urgency for the U.S. to expedite the permitting process for the exportation of natural gas to our allies,” Sen. Capito said on Friday. “This legislation would not only advance West Virginia’s energy sector and create many new jobs, but it would also ensure that our allies do not have to rely on rogue nations for their energy needs.”

Specifically, the Natural Gas Export Expansion Act, S. 438, would amend the Natural Gas Act to expedite non-free trade agreement export permits so that applications to export LNG to certain countries are treated the same as free trade countries and receive the same accelerated approval process, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Capito’s office.

Additionally, S. 438 would retain current law for restricted nations, and any nation subject to sanctions or trade restrictions would be specifically excluded, the summary says, adding that the president or Congress could exclude any nation from expedited approval.

S. 438, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, was sponsored on Feb. 15 by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and three other Republican original cosponsors in addition to Sen. Capito.