Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today joined Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) to introduce the LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act. The bipartisan bill will speed up the approval process for exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries which do not have free trade agreements with the United States.
“Colorado has led the way in demonstrating we can produce natural gas safely and in a way that protects drinking water, reduces fugitive methane emissions, and safeguards nearby communities,” Bennet said. “Now we have a huge opportunity to grow this market and increase the use of this cleaner fuel. This bill will support Colorado jobs by helping natural gas producers in our state expand to new overseas markets.”
Prior to approving applications to export natural gas to countries which do not have free trade agreements with the United States, the Secretary of Energy must make a public interest determination which includes a public comment period. The LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act specifically requires a decision on any LNG export application within 45 days after the environmental review document for the project is published.
Other original cosponsors of the measure include Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).