Time to Modernize Our Nation’s Energy Policies

SEN. MURKOWSKI (R-AK): “Our energy renaissance has taken us from a position of energy scarcity to one of energy abundance, but current law rarely reflects that fact. After months of working together, the bipartisan legislation we introduced today marks a critical step toward the modernization of our federal energy policies. By focusing on areas where agreement was possible, we have assembled a robust bill with priorities from many senators that will promote our economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness.” (Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Press Release, 7/22/2015)

SEN. CANTWELL (D-WA): “The reason is, just as the senator from Alaska said, this is all about consumers who want to be able to save money on their energy costs. . . .  We both want to protect the industries and the economic opportunities of our economy. And we know that energy is the lifeblood of any economy. . . . We are here because we need to update and modernize our energy policies. That is what we did when this bill came out of committee with an 18-4 vote.” (Sen. Cantwell, Congressional Record, 1/27/2016)

‘Reach[ing] Across The Aisle On Energy Bill’

“Murkowski reaches across the aisle on energy bill” (“Murkowski Reaches Across The Aisle On Energy Bill,” Alaska Dispatch News, 7/22/2015)

“The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted Thursday to approve its attempt at the first broad energy policy reform bill in eight years. The Energy Policy Modernization Act passed by a vote of 18-4 after three days of debate. . . . Murkowski and Cantwell emphasized bipartisanship . . . .” (“Senate Energy Panel Approves Reform Bill,” The Hill, 7/30/2015)

“It would ease the permitting process for natural gas pipelines but also permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which supports parks and public lands. The measure also buttresses energy-efficiency initiatives and supports some carbon-free energy sources, such as hydropower . . . .” (“Senate Panel Greenlights Oil Exports, Offshore Drilling,” U.S. News & World Report, 7/30/2015)

Bipartisan Bill Will Help Boost U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas Exports

“A major provision in the bill will speed decision-making on LNG exports by requiring the Department of Energy to approve or deny applications to export LNG to non-free trade agreement countries within 45 days of final action at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the Maritime Administration.” (“US Senate Energy Bill To Speed LNG Exports, Clarify SPR Sales Limits,” Platts, 7/22/2015)

“U.S. LNG export projects are actually poised to compete favorably with new LNG projects coming to the world market from other locations.” (“An Assessment of U.S. Natural Gas Exports,” Brookings Institution, July 2015)

FORMER ENERGY ADVISOR TO PRES. OBAMA JASON BORDOFF: “By increasing liquidity and competition in the global market, more LNG trade will lower prices and empower consumers. That is especially true for U.S. LNG . . . .” (“How Exporting U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas Will Transform the Politics of Global Energy,” The Wall Street Journal’s The Experts, 11/17/2015)

‘Increased LNG Trade Can Also Enhance Energy Security For Our Allies’

FORMER ENERGY ADVISOR TO PRES. OBAMA JASON BORDOFF: “Increased LNG trade can also enhance energy security for our allies.” (“How Exporting U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas Will Transform the Politics of Global Energy,” The Wall Street Journal’s The Experts, 11/17/2015)

• “Gazprom’s grip on Europe is weakening, and U.S. LNG will accelerate that shift even as Russia seeks to counter it . . . .” (“How Exporting U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas Will Transform the Politics of Global Energy,” The Wall Street Journal’s The Experts, 11/17/2015)

REPS. KEN CALVERT (R-CA) AND STEVE ISRAEL (D-NY): “These days there doesn’t seem to be many things Democrats and Republicans can agree on, but after a recent bipartisan Congressional Delegation trip to Ukraine, we came back in agreement on one thing. Visiting Kiev, and speaking with Ukraine’s leaders it is clear that while their economy is faltering, there are steps that we can take, in addition to sanctions, that will hamper Russia’s economy and future border advances.” (Reps. Calvert and Israel, Op-ed, “Export Natural Gas: Help Our Allies, Increase Security,” The Hill, 4/23/2015)

• “By increasing our ability to export natural gas – in the form of liquefied natural gas or LNG – to Europe, the U.S. can weaken Russia’s strategic stronghold while boosting our domestic economy by increasing energy exports.” (Reps. Calvert and Israel, Op-ed, “Export Natural Gas: Help Our Allies, Increase Security,” The Hill, 4/23/2015)

“Iran is pushing to find new ways to extract and export its vast natural-gas reserves, including developing facilities to liquefy the commodity and ship it to Europe in two years, now that Western sanctions have lifted, according to a top Iranian official.” (“Iran Seeks Rapid Reboot for Natural Gas Exports,” The Wall Street Journal, 1/26/2016)