Putin threatens Ukraine Over Vital Gas Supplies
Expedited LNG Exports Move Closer in the House
Turner Continues to Press Administration to Increase Exports of LNG
Washington, D.C. – Today, The Associated Press reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to start charging Ukraine in advance for its vital gas supplies.
This threat follows a series of attempts by Russia to use their natural gas monopoly to manipulate and intimidate Ukraine. Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that Gazprom. increased the price of natural gas on Ukraine by more than 40%.
“This threat intensifies the need for the United States to immediately increase its exports of liquefied natural gas to our NATO and European allies,” said Turner. “Russia has proven that it will continue to use its energy resource dominance as a political and economic weapon. The United States must combat this mounting threat and help our allies diversify their energy resources in order to provide them with the security required for regional stabilization.”
Congressman Turner authored H.R. 4139, the American Job Creation and Strategic Alliances LNG Act, to expedite the permit process to export U.S. natural gas to World Trade Organization countries. His bill was incorporated into to H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act, which the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power approved today. Currently, such expedited approval is reserved exclusively for nations that have a free trade agreement with the United States.
Turner continued “I congratulate the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power for taking an important step to increase the exports of U.S. natural gas to World Trade Organization countries. I urge the Obama Administration to follow the leadership of the House and support this critical legislation.”
###