Washington (Platts)--6Feb2013/454 pm EST/2154 GMT
US Representative Mike Turner, Republican-Ohio, on Wednesday introduced legislation that make it easier for US producers to export LNG to a range of countries. "Increasing natural gas exports to key allies would help them diversify their energy resources, bolster their energy and national security, and strengthen our strategic alliances," Turner said in a statement. The bill is a companion to legislation introduced in the Senate last week by John Barrasso, Republican-Wyoming and would give North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries and Japan the same status as countries with whom the US has free-trade agreements when it comes to LNG exports. The bill also would allow exports to other countries if the secretary of state, in consultation with the secretary of defense, decides the exports would help US national security.Article continues below...Request a free trial of: LNG DailyLNG Daily is essential reading as LNG supply dynamics continue to change in big markets like Japan, China, India and the U.S. This premier independent news publication for the global LNG industry gives readers information on every aspect of the global market from new LNG supply projects to gas quality issues.
US Representative Mike Turner, Republican-Ohio, on Wednesday introduced legislation that make it easier for US producers to export LNG to a range of countries. "Increasing natural gas exports to key allies would help them diversify their energy resources, bolster their energy and national security, and strengthen our strategic alliances," Turner said in a statement. The bill is a companion to legislation introduced in the Senate last week by John Barrasso, Republican-Wyoming and would give North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries and Japan the same status as countries with whom the US has free-trade agreements when it comes to LNG exports. The bill also would allow exports to other countries if the secretary of state, in consultation with the secretary of defense, decides the exports would help US national security.
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LNG Daily is essential reading as LNG supply dynamics continue to change in big markets like Japan, China, India and the U.S. This premier independent news publication for the global LNG industry gives readers information on every aspect of the global market from new LNG supply projects to gas quality issues.
Under current law, the Department of Energy must quickly approve exports to countries that have FTAs with the US. But it can limit or block exports to non-FTA nations if it finds they are not in the public interest. So far, only Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana has won DOE approval to export to both FTA and non-FTA countries. Other cosponsors of the House bill are Republicans John Shimkus of Illinois, Sam Johnson of Texas, Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia, Tom McClintock of California, Mike Pompeo of Kansas, Bill Johnson of Ohio, Robert Latta of Ohio, Lou Barletta of Pennsylvania, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Jim Renacci of Ohio and Democrat Tim Ryan of Ohio. Turner spokesman Tom Crosson said he is optimistic about the bill's chances for success. "It is a bicameral, bipartisan bill that makes sense for American jobs and American energy, so it certainly deserves the attention of both houses of Congress," he said.--Kate Winston, catherine_winston@platts.com --Edited by Jeff Barber, jeff_barber@platts.com
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