CLNG welcomes passage of H.R. 8

After a bipartisan vote of 249 to 174, the Center for LNG (CLNG) has released a statement welcoming the passage of H. R. 8 – The North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 – by the House of Representatives.

The bill will ensure regulatory certainty in the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) permitting process for the export of LNG. It will do this by requiring the DOE to issue a decision regarding any LNG export application no later than 30 days after the National Environmental Policy Act review for the project has been concluded.

Casey O’Shea, a CLNG Spokesperson, said: “The passage of H.R. 8 will bring clarity to the LNG export permitting process by implementing a clear deadline for DOE to act on applications. Increased natural gas exports will allow the US to realise significant economic benefits resulting from tens of billions of dollars of new investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, while also supplying our friends and allies abroad with a reliable and clean energy.

“Regulatory certainty is crucial to fostering export capacity growth because LNG project developers must commit millions of dollars just to complete the permitting process, before spending billions on the facilities themselves. Clear timelines will facilitate efficient planning, scheduling, financing and construction of projects.

“US LNG exports can also reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Recent Energy Information Administration data shows that our natural gas reserves are at an all-time high, and that increased use of natural gas has helped lower domestic emissions. Exporting American LNG will allow our trading partners and allies to realise similar reductions; according to a recent lifecycle emissions comparison by Pace Global, US LNG exports generate approximately half the greenhouse gas emissions of continued use of coal in Europe and Asia.

“The House of Representatives has supported legislation expediting the LNG review process since 2014. We urge the Senate to pass companion legislation that provides regulatory certainty for US LNG exports.”

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/04122015/clng-welcomes-passage-of-hr8-1722/