The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, March 25, 2014, to review H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act.
In response to Russia’s recent aggression and DOE’s slow export approval process, Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced H.R. 6 to expedite exports of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) to our allies. The legislation would grant immediate approval of complete export applications currently filed with the Department of Energy and modify the process moving forward to ensure exports to our allies are not subject to unnecessary delays. The subcommittee will hear testimony from former member of Congress and Chairman of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization James Bacchus, Hungarian Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security Anita Orban, and NERA Economic Consulting Senior Vice President Dr. David Montgomery. Additional witnesses to be announced.
“President Obama today said that ‘we’re going to stand firm in our unwavering support for Ukraine.’ That should include unlocking U.S. natural gas supplies to help free Ukraine and other European nations from Russia’s influence. It is going to take more than sanctions to stand up to Putin, and taking action on exports would weaken his grip by sending a clear signal to our allies that they no longer have to be at the mercy of Russian energy supplies. This legislation will provide a safe and secure energy source abroad while delivering economic growth and job creation here at home," said Gardner.as they are posted.
BACKGROUND: The committee has been actively engaged on the benefits of LNG exports. In October of 2013, the committee held a forum on “The Geopolitical Implications and Mutual Benefits of U.S. LNG Exports" with numerous diplomats and energy advisors, including representatives from the Eastern European countries of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Lithuania. The committee also released a report last month entitled, “Prosperity at Home and Strengthened Allies Abroad - A Global Perspective on Natural Gas Exports," which detailed the economic and geopolitical benefits of U.S. LNG exports and outlined the actions necessary to realize them.
