US House approves bill aimed at increasing LNG exports

Jan. 28, 2015
The US House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at increasing US LNG exports by requiring the Department of Energy to determine whether a project is in the national interest once its federal environmental reviews were complete.

The US House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at increasing US LNG exports by requiring the Department of Energy to determine whether a project is in the national interest once its federal environmental reviews were complete.

Their Jan. 28 action came a day before the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee planned to hold its own hearing on LNG exports.

Forty-one Democrats joined 236 Republicans in approving HR 351, which Energy and Commerce Committee member Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) introduced on Jan. 14. One Republican, Chris Gibson (NY), and 132 Democrats voted against it.

The American Petroleum Institute applauded the bill’s passage. “This is a top priority for the new Congress because LNG exports represent a clear-cut, bipartisan opportunity to increase domestic energy production, create more American jobs, and protect the security of the US and its allies,” said Erik Milito, API industry and operations director.

“We’re optimistic that House and Senate leaders will be able to quickly come together behind legislation that will benefit the US while helping bolster our allies abroad,” he said.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].