House Rules panel advances GOP energy bills aiming to expand LNG exports and review refining capacity
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Summary
In a Rules Committee hearing, GOP lawmakers defended HR 1949 and HR 3109 as measures to ‘‘unleash’’ U.S. energy production and support allies; Democrats warned the bills could raise domestic fuel and electricity prices by limiting DOE review and privileging fossil-fuel interests.
The House Rules Committee on Monday heard bipartisan testimony on two GOP energy bills that would limit federal review of liquefied natural gas exports and commission a federal study of U.S. refining capacity.
Representative Bob Latta, speaking for the bills’ proponents, described HR 1949, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act, and HR 3109, the Refiner Act, as steps to ‘‘bolster national security, lower domestic prices, and supply our allies with critical fuels.’’ He told the committee the U.S. has dramatically increased LNG export capacity and that regulatory obstacles have discouraged investment in new refineries.
Democrats questioned that claim and urged caution. Ranking Member Frank Pallone pointed to Department of Energy analysis cited in committee testimony that concluded unlimited LNG exports could raise domestic natural-gas prices and cost households more — a point Pallone said shows DOE’s public-interest review is necessary. ‘‘DOE found that unlimited exports of LNG would increase natural gas prices by over 30% and cost households well over $100 a year,’’ Pallone said during questioning.
Latta disputed projections that the bills would harm consumers and defended removing DOE’s permitting role, saying the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would continue to review infrastructure, and that long lead times and permit backlogs mean exports under current approvals will ramp slowly.
Committee members asked how the bills would square U.S. export policy with strategic concerns about sales to adversaries, whether shifting permitting authority to FERC would change environmental or safety reviews, and what near-term effect lifting DOE review would have on domestic prices. Latta argued the measures would make U.S. energy more available to allies and spur refinery investment; Democrats warned they would prioritize industry profits over consumer protection and climate impacts.
The committee postponed floor procedures until the overall rule was considered; no final House vote on either bill occurred during the hearing. The bills are part of the package the Rules Committee advanced to be considered on the House floor under a closed rule.
