Hoeven unveils Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) recently offered legislation that would reverse the Biden administration’s indefinite pause on approvals for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals while it reviews the U.S. Department of Energy licensing process.

“The Biden administration continues to put its Green New Deal agenda over U.S. energy and national security,” Sen. Hoeven said on Feb. 5. “Our legislation will help to boost American energy independence and reverse the Biden administration’s halt of new LNG exports. 

“That’s not only good for U.S. consumers and our economy,” he added, “but will enable the U.S. to continue to provide this valuable energy commodity to our friends and allies. Energy security is vital to our national security.” 

Along with U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Sen. Hoeven introduced the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act. If enacted, the measure would eliminate the requirement for the Department of Energy (DOE) to authorize LNG exports and instead give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission sole authority over the approval process, according to a bill summary provided by the senators.

Introduction of the bill is part of Sen. Hoeven’s ongoing energy efforts, which include a hearing being held on Feb. 8 by the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, of which he is a member, to examine the administration’s pause on LNG export approvals and the DOE’s process for assessing LNG export applications.

Sen. Hoeven also has sponsored legislation to streamline and set deadlines for multi-agency National Environmental Policy Act reviews of natural gas pipeline and LNG projects needed to get energy to market, according to his staff.

The bill has been included in two comprehensive energy permitting reform bills: the Spur Permitting of Underdeveloped Resources (SPUR) Act, which Sen. Hoeven helped introduce, and the Lower Energy Costs Act, H.R. 1, which the U.S. House of Representatives approved last year.