Legislation introduced on Feb. 28 by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) would reverse President Joe Biden’s decision to stop new American liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals.
The LNG Security Act, S. 3829, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), would require the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to approve LNG exports to all countries that have imported, currently import, or are capable of importing Russian or Iranian natural gas, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
In turn, this would support America’s energy producing states, including Sen. Cassidy’s home state of Louisiana, where 12 of the 18 impacted LNG export facilities are or will be built, the summary says.
“Biden continues his war on the American worker,” Sen. Cassidy said. “The Department of Energy needs to do its job and finalize permits for projects harmed by the LNG export freeze — the majority of which are in Louisiana.”
In addition, S. 3829 would place a 45-day deadline for DOE to issue a decision on applications to export LNG to all other countries once the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approves the siting, construction, and operation of an LNG export facility, the summary says.
The bill also would move all current and future litigation challenging the approval or denial of LNG export authorizations to the Circuit Court where a facility is or will be located.
The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.