The American Petroleum Institute and London-based International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) jointly released a position paper outlining ways to increase US LNG exports to countries in the European Union. The May 2 recommendations came during the first EU-US Energy Council Business-to-Business Energy Forum in Brussels.
“We’re experiencing a pivotal moment in US energy leadership as the No. 1 producer and exporter of natural gas and crude oil. It’s also a critical time in terms of collaborating and building our Trans-Atlantic LNG relationship, as we have an ability to not only continue to elevate the quality of life in America, but globally as well,” said Todd Snitchler, API vice-president of market development.
“American natural gas has reduced carbon dioxide emissions in the US to the lowest levels we’ve seen in a generation, as well as provided substantial economic benefits to communities across the US,” he said.
“If we really want to reach our climate objectives in Europe, we need our policymakers to acknowledge the value and role of gas in both in the short and longer term,” said Francois-Regis Morton, IOGP’s director of EU affairs.
“The US, the UK, and others around the world have shown what an impact shifting from coal to gas makes from a carbon dioxide emission reduction and air quality perspective. By making a smart use of Europe’s own gas resources and the LNG supplied by partners such as the US, we can bring about a system combining renewables and gas which provides a secure supply of affordable and clean energy to Europeans,” he said.
The joint policy recommendations for the US include:
• For the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and US Department of Energy to continue enhancing their established review and permitting processes while maintaining transparent and consistent approval timelines.
• For expanded executive branch agency efforts to promote US LNG in EU countries.
• For executive branch agencies to highlight US industry standards and promote streamlined approval processes to ensure timely construction of critical energy transportation systems.
For the EU, API and IOGP’s joint policy recommendations include:
• Sending consistent signals expressing confidence in the medium and long-term role of gas in the EU energy mix.
• The European Commission’s working with member states to increase interconnectivity and to encourage public entities and businesses to use LNG and compressed natural gas in transportation to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality.
• The EC’s working to avoid unduly restrictive gas quality specifications that could create unnecessary barriers for LNG to enter the EU.
