Udall pushes speed-up of natural gas exports

RBC I Sen. Mark Udall, who serves on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, welcomed the U.S. Department of Energy’s decision last week to approve a liquefied natural gas export permit for the Jordan Cove Energy Project in Oregon.
The department’s decision follows Udall’s calls to accelerate permit approval to ensure Colorado and the nation’s natural gas reserves are ready to export and can help strengthen world stability and support job creators. There are 24 permits still pending at the U.S. Department of Energy.
“I am proud that the U.S. Department of Energy has heeded my calls to speed its approval of pending liquefied natural gas export terminals,” Udall said. “This new terminal — and others in the pipeline — will strengthen Colorado’s economy, support job creators across the nation, and ensure our bountiful and clean-burning natural gas assets can help promote global security.”
“This newly approved LNG terminal is a step in the right direction, but there is more to do,” he said. “I will keep fighting to ensure the White House continues to prioritize the development and approval of additional natural gas export facilities.”
The Energy Department’s approval is an important step toward constructing the Jordan Cove LNG Terminal, which will be able to export 0.8 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas once it is constructed.
Udall has been a strong supporter of developing Colorado’s clean-burning and job-creating natural gas resources.
Earlier this month he introduced legislation to expand the ability of energy firms to export liquefied natural gas to more countries around the world. Udall also has highlighted how the crisis in Ukraine underscores the urgent need for the U.S. Energy Department to expedite its approval of additional liquefied natural gas terminals.
Udall also has supported the Grand Junction Economic Partnership’s effort to study the effect liquefied natural gas exports could have on the West Slope’s economy.
Udall has made natural gas development a cornerstone of his ongoing statewide energy tour.