Introduce Bill to Boost American Energy Independence, Dominance

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act, which depoliticizes the export of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) by eliminating the requirement for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to authorize its export and instead giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sole authority over the approval process.

This legislation comes just days after President Biden handed a major victory to far-left climate activists and America’s adversaries by pausing approvals of pending applications for LNG exports. The president’s anti-energy decision is a major blow to U.S. energy independence and will only increase global reliance on Russia and other bad actors around the world.

“President Biden’s LNG export ban will jeopardize our national security and economic prosperity all for the sake of his egregious green agenda,” said Risch. “The Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act will protect American energy resource development and ensure the U.S. remains a leader in LNG exports.”

“The Biden Administration’s reckless energy policies undermine America’s domestic energy industry and compromise our energy security here at home, as well as the energy security of our closest allies," said Crapo. "We must reduce regulatory burdens, paving way for a more efficient, practical  LNG application process.”

“President Biden’s move to halt American energy exports is pure politics. In fact, exporting U.S. natural gas would actually lower global emissions,” said Scott. “President Biden is dead set on bowing to the far-left and making the U.S. and our allies more reliant on foreign adversaries like Russia. Instead, I’m fighting to unleash America’s abundant natural resources, bolster our energy independence and safeguard our national security.”

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).

BACKGROUND

• Last week, the Biden administration paused approvals of pending applications for LNG exports.
• On the very same day, Senators Risch, Crapo, and Scott joined Senator Bill Cassidy and 24 of their Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden and Secretary Granholm of the DOE condemning the so-called “LNG plan.”
• U.S. gas exports have more than quadrupled in the past decade, making America the largest natural gas exporter in the world.
• As tensions rise around the world, there is a growing demand for American energy from our international partners in Europe, the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere.
• Our European allies, for example, have become increasingly reliant on the U.S. for LNG in light of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
• This LNG plan places the Biden administration in the position of choosing between strengthening U.S. national security by helping our partners and allies or caving to progressive activists.

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