Miller, Colleagues Send Letter to Leadership on Energy and Water Appropriations Act Language Regarding Export of LNG
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and 7 of her colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to the leadership of the House of Representatives and Senate. The bipartisan group requested that the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Act include language to prohibit funds from being used to change the standards, permitting, or approval procedures for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Click HERE for the full letter.
Click HERE for an exclusive with Politico's Morning Energy.
Joining Congresswoman Miller in sending the letter are Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Jim Costa (D-CA), Michael Cloud (R-TX), and Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK).
On the Biden Administration’s recent announcement to pause new LNG export approvals to conduct permitting process reviews:
We write regarding the Biden Administration’s recent announcement to pause new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals while the administration conducts additional reviews of the permitting process. This deeply concerning decision threatens national security, the economy, and clean energy goals.
In the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2021, our European allies have nearly tripled their import of U.S. LNG while significantly reducing their reliance on Russian natural gas. This has cemented the United States’ status as the top exporter of LNG in the world. The U.S. natural gas industry supports more than 10 million American jobs and supported nearly $1.8 trillion in U.S. gross domestic product in 2021. The Department of Energy has also confirmed that American LNG is up to 30% cleaner than Russian natural gas, and if we do not fulfill the demand for LNG and let other countries like Russia control the markets, emissions will continue to rise.
On the new bill language in the Energy and Water Appropriations Act concerning permitting and approval procedures of LNG:
Given these grave concerns, we request that the final Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Act include bill language prohibiting funds from being used to modify, alter, or change the public interest review standards or permitting and approval procedures for the export of LNG. Therefore, we support the following language to be included:
“No funds made available by this Act may be used to modify, alter, or change the public interest review standards or permitting and approval procedures for the export of liquefied natural gas under Sec. 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938.”
Thank you for the consideration of our request. We look forward to working with you to defend our allies and partners, support the American economy, and work towards reducing global emissions.
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