Gardner Introduces Natural Gas Legislation amid Ukraine Crisis

Press Release

Today, Rep. Cory Gardner (CO-4) introduced legislation to speed up the approval process for Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) exports. H.R. 6, The Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act, would facilitate the accelerated approval of LNG export applications that are currently under review by the Department of Energy (DOE).

This legislation comes amid aggressive Russian expansion in the wake of political turmoil in Ukraine. As the world's largest exporter of natural gas, Russia has significant control of the resource that European nations depend on to heat their homes and power their industries. Much of Russia's natural gas supply flows through pipelines across Ukraine.

"President Putin and the Russian regime are using their dominance of the European natural gas market to flex their muscles and expand their influence," said Gardner. "European nations are clamoring for a resource that is abundant in Colorado, but current law restricts our ability to sell it to them. This bill allows America to meet the needs of our allies, while creating economic opportunity and good jobs here in Colorado."

Gardner's bill would facilitate the speedy approval of all applications currently pending with the DOE. Similar legislation has been proposed in the Senate, though observers note that the Senate bill could require companies with existing applications to have to re-file, causing further delays and filing burdens.

Colorado has seen an energy boom in recent years, due in part to natural gas extracted through hydraulic fracturing. The resulting economic growth has created thousands of jobs in Colorado's energy sector and contributed millions of dollars to Colorado's economy.

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