Submitted by United States Representative Clay Higgins of the 3rd District in Louisiana.
WASHINGTON (Apr. 19, 2024) – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced the LNG Permitting Improvement Act, which establishes a shot clock for the review of applications for natural gas export and import orders. This bill is designed as a long-term solution that addresses the Biden administration’s indefinite pause on liquified natural gas (LNG) permitting.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- The Department of Energy (DOE) must issue a determination on non-FTA export applications for LNG within 180 days of receiving an application. Failure to meet this deadline requires a report to Congress detailing the reasons for the delay.
- If DOE cannot meet the deadline, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will have the authority to issue a determination.
- DOE must submit an annual report to Congress outlining their rationale for decisions made throughout the year. This includes the number of applications received, granted, or denied, as well as steps taken to enhance procedural efficiencies.
- Additionally, existing facilities seeking to expand production capabilities by 5 billion cubic feet per day will qualify for an expedited review process and receive a determination within 90 days.
“Southwest Louisiana is the epicenter of American LNG. The Biden administration’s actions against LNG are impacting many thousands of American lives and jobs,” said Congressman Higgins. “This legislation promotes the growth of an industry that provides our nation and the world with clean, reliable, and affordable energy.”
This week, during a House Oversight & Accountability Subcommittee hearing, Congressman Higgins questioned Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Brad Crabtree on the permitting moratorium. Congressman Higgins outlined the significance of immediately resuming permit approvals and ensuring that American LNG projects move forward in a timely manner.
Read the legislation here.
