The Senate today passed a sweeping energy bill that would expedite the LNG export approval process, streamline the permitting of pipeline projects on federal lands and modernize the energy grid, among other provisions.
The bill requires the Department of Energy to decide within 45 days on applications to export LNG to non-free-trade-agreement countries. Industry groups and some lawmakers have for the past few years urged the federal government to speed up its approval process, which they contend has created a backlog of projects waiting to move forward.
Industry groups welcomed the bill’s passage. The Center for Liquefied Natural Gas said the shortened LNG export permitting timeline would give much-needed certainty to project developers. The American Petroleum Institute said the bill would help lower natural gas prices for consumers and promote job diversity in the energy industry.
The House of Representatives approved a similar energy bill in December. The Senate bill will now move on to the House for review.
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