WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved H.R 351, the LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act, a bill to help expedite the approval of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects. The legislation was approved by a strong bipartisan vote of 277 to 133. H.R. 351, authored by Energy and Commerce Committee member Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), would end the unnecessary delays blocking the export of U.S. LNG by requiring the Department of Energy to issue a decision on export applications following the conclusion of environmental review of the LNG facilities.

Increasing U.S. LNG exports would help create jobs in America and help our allies abroad. At the request of the Department of Energy, NERA economic consulting conducted a study and found that U.S. LNG exports would result in net gains to our domestic economy and could reduce the average number of unemployed workers by as much as 45,000 by 2018. The Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance projects that expanding the market for U.S. LNG would create an additional 150,000 jobs in the supply chain. U.S. LNG exports would also provide our allies in Europe and across the globe with an alternative safe and secure source of energy, reducing the coercive power of exporters like Russia.

"For too long the Department of Energy has stood in the way of progress when it comes to approving our natural gas export permits. Today, the House voted to eliminate the government red tape that has stood in the way of American job creation in both the energy and manufacturing sectors, and we’ve sent a strong message to our allies in Europe – they won’t have to be so beholden to Vladimir Putin to meet their energy needs anymore," said Johnson.

"The domestic and geopolitical benefits make increasing U.S. LNG exports a win-win, but the Department of Energy continues to hold up the process. This bill would help jumpstart approvals so we can start creating jobs and sending our surplus gas to those countries that need it the most," said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). "The U.S. is now a global energy superpower, and with that power we have a chance to do some real good. Saying yes to energy is good for workers here at home, and good for global allies."

"The Energy and Commerce Committee has held multiple hearings about U.S. natural gas production. We now have the opportunity to bring more of this critical energy resource to other parts of the world while stimulating our energy security, economic growth, and foreign policy," said Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY). "This important bill brings certainty to DOE’s approval process to ensure we can take advantage of the many benefits of U.S. LNG exports."  

To view letters of support for H.R. 351, click HERE.

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