Washington, DC –Today, Congressman Mike Turner, Chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), partnered with the House Energy and Commerce Committee to introduce the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act.
The recent events in Ukraine have highlighted Europe’s vulnerability toward Russian gas exports. Reaching these markets with U.S. natural gas will increase U.S. production, jobs, and grow our economy.
For far too long, the Russian Federation, under President Vladimir Putin, has invested billions in infrastructure and energy subsidies in order to control and influence our allies in Europe. As a result, many European partners have been essentially held hostage due to a lack of alternative energy providers. Recognizing Russia’s tight hold on the European energy markets, Congressman Mike Turner has spent the last year working closely with American suppliers and overseas allies in order to find a solution to this problem.
The Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act would expedite the permit process to export U.S. natural gas to World Trade Organization (WTO) countries. This bipartisan legislation would provide our allies with an alternative and reliable source of energy, strengthen our strategic alliances, reduce the trade deficit, and create American jobs.
“Helping our allies diversify their energy resources is vital to strengthening our strategic partnerships and bolstering security,” said Turner. “Many of our allies are heavily reliant upon natural gas supplies from either one country or from unstable regions, which poses a threat to their security and their independence. Recent events taking place in Ukraine have shed increasing light on Europe’s vulnerability toward Russian natural gas exports. We have seen in Ukraine that Russia will use its energy resource dominance to expand its sphere of influence. Increasing U.S. natural gas exports will provide our allies with an alternative an reliable source of energy, helping to strengthen their independence and creating jobs right here at home.”
Currently, under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act, companies seeking to export natural gas must gain approval from the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy, which determines if such exports are in the public interest. For countries with which the United States has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) the approval is automatic. For non-FTA countries, there is a regulatory process to determine if such exports are in the public interest.
The United States is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the world and is experiencing a surplus in production. A Department of Energy-commissioned report found that increasing exports of natural gas would have positive economic benefits for our country.
“Today, I am proud to announce my most recent partnership on the issue of LNG exports. I look forward to working with Chairman Fred Upton and the House Energy and Commerce Committee to further this critical issue, “ said Turner.
Click HERE to view a copy of the legislative text.
See below for a comprehensive timeline on Rep. Turner’s leadership on the issue of LNG exports.
Legislation
H.R. 6699, the LNG for NATO Act (112th Congress – 12/20/2012)
- Authors bicameral legislation with then-Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) to expedite the permit process to export U.S. natural gas to NATO countries
H.R. 580, the Expedited LNG for American Allies Act (113th Congress – 2/6/2013)
- Authors bicameral and bipartisan legislation with Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) to expedite the permit process to export U.S. natural gas to NATO countries and Japan
H.R. 4139, the American Job Creation and Strategic Alliances LNG Act (113th Congress – 3/4/2013)
- Authors bipartisan legislation to expedite the permit process to export U.S. natural gas to World Trade Organization countries
H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act (113th Congress – 3/6/2014)
- Co-authors bipartisan legislation to expedite the permit process to export U.S. natural gas to World Trade Organization countries
Timeline of Key Activities
12/12/2012
- Authors H.R. 6699, the LNG for NATO Act with then-Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
1/23/2012
- Joins over 100 bipartisan House colleagues to urge then-Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to approve pending natural gas export applications
2/6/2013
- Authors H.R. 580, the Expedited LNG for American Allies Act with Senator John Barrasso (R-WY)
3/19/2013
-Participated in a House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements hearing entitled “The Department of Energy’s Strategy for Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas”
4/15/2013
- Keynote speaker at a roundtable event with European Ambassadors entitled “How American Natural Gas Exports Might Enhance European Energy Security”
4/16/2013
- Keynote speaker at an event hosted by the German Marshall Fund entitled “Strengthening Transatlantic Alliances: Potential Geostrategic Impacts of U.S. LNG Exports”
4/27/2013
- Questions Secretary of State John Kerry on the State Department’s views on the geopolitical benefits of U.S. natural gas exports
- In response, Secretary Kerry states recognition of strategic benefits of U.S. natural gas production and overseas demand
5/7/2013
-Submits a statement for the record to a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power hearing entitled “U.S. Energy Abundance: Exports and the Changing Global Energy Landscape”
7/9/2013
-Keynote speaker at an event hosted by the Embassy of Hungary entitled “Prospects of U.S. LNG Exports: The Allies’ Perspective”
7/17/2013
-Authors an op-ed in the Hill entitled “More natural gas for Europe is good for U.S. alliances and jobs”
9/11/2013
- Keynote speaker at an event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute entitled “Natural Gas, Natural Allies: Energizing the U.S.-Japan Relationship”
10/10/2013
-Participated in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power forum with foreign officials entitled “Geopolitical Implications and Mutual Benefits of U.S. LNG Exports”
10/22/2013
-Authors an op-ed in the Hill entitled “Exporting American natural gas boosts economy and national security”
2/11/2014
- Keynote speaker at gathering of key foreign Ambassadors, embassy officials, and energy industry representatives on the strategic alliance benefits of U.S. natural gas exports
3/4/2014
- Authors H.R. 4139, the American Job Creation and Strategic Alliances LNG Act
3/6/2014
-Co-authors H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act