WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE) approval of a conditional license to Jordan Cove LNG to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to nations that do not have free trade agreements with the United States:
“Today’s decision is great news for Wyoming and our nation’s allies who are eager to buy U.S. natural gas. With Jordan Cove, Wyoming and other Rocky Mountain states will finally have direct access to international markets. In addition to expanding economic opportunities across America, this project will create good-paying jobs in Wyoming, Oregon, Colorado, and Utah, as well as in Indian country.
“While I’m encouraged by the Department of Energy’s decision today, its review process continues to move at a glacial pace. In three and a half years, the Department has only used its discretion to approve seven applications to export liquefied natural gas. Meanwhile, it sits on over 20 pending applications.
“The United States has an opportunity to become a major player in the international gas market—it just needs a willing partner in the White House. The Obama Administration should waste no time in acting on other pending LNG applications. Congress should also act by passing my bipartisan legislation to make it easier to export U.S. LNG to countries that support our national security interests.”
Background:
The Jordan Cove LNG export terminal will be located in Coos Bay, Oregon. It will allow natural gas from Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming to be exported to Asia.
On November 12, 2013, Senator Barrasso led a group of bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers, including Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), in a letter to the Department of Energy expressing their support for the proposed LNG export facility at Jordan Cove in southwest Oregon.
On January 31, 2013, Senator Barrasso introduced the bipartisan Expedited LNG for American Allies Act of 2013. The bill gives North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member nations, Japan, and others the same preferential treatment as our free trade partners with respect to exports of natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG).
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