Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) reintroduced the American Gas for Allies Act to allow U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to receive expedited approval from the Department of Energy to export LNG from the U.S. to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries.  Currently, under the Natural Gas Act, countries that have free trade agreements with the U.S. automatically receive expedited approval from the Department of Energy to import or export LNG.  Because no free trade agreements currently exist between the U.S. and European NATO countries, however, European NATO countries must initiate a lengthy application process to import or export LNG with the United States. 

“The United States and our NATO allies have responded to President Putin’s aggression with strength, and we must remain committed to our allies with sustained action,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Helping reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian natural gas—now and in the future—is an important part of that effort.  I am proud to reintroduce the American Gas for Allies Act to boost our federal response by working with our NATO allies to expedite the export of American Liquefied Natural Gas to help secure Europe’s energy supply and defense.” 

If enacted, the American Gas for Allies Act would designate applications at the Department of Energy to export natural gas from the U.S. to NATO countries be granted without modification or delay for a three-year period.  In addition to NATO members, any other foreign nation can qualify when the Secretary of State—in consultation with the Secretaries of the Department of Defense and Department of Energy—determines it is in the national strategic defense interests of the United States to do so. 

As part of her efforts to help promote American energy in Europe, Congresswoman Fletcher previously introduced the American Gas for Allies Act in the 117th Congress, as well as the American Energy For Europe Act to establish a program at the Department of Energy to assist our European partners in replacing Russian natural gas, oil, and nuclear supplies with American energy. 

Full text of the American Gas for Allies Act can be found here.