Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced the American Gas for Allies Act to allow U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to receive expedited approval from the Department of Energy (DOE) to export LNG from the U.S. to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries and Ukraine. 

"At a time when President Trump's policies are upending global trade and abandoning our allies, Congress must send the opposite message to our allies and partners around the world,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Helping reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian natural gas—now and in the future—is an important part of demonstrating our commitment to our allies in NATO and Ukraine.  I am glad to introduce the American Gas for Allies Act to help allies expedite the export of U.S. LNG to help secure Europe’s energy supply and defense.” 

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 and Ukraine must initiate a lengthy application process to export LNG from the U.S. 

If enacted, the American Gas for Allies Act would provide U.S. energy companies with certainty and a dependable process to export LNG to our European allies.  This legislation would designate applications at DOE to export natural gas from the U.S. to NATO countries and Ukraine be granted without modification or delay for a three-year period.  Last Congress, Congresswoman Fletcher introduced a similar version of the American Gas for Allies Act.

As part of her efforts to help promote American energy in Europe, Congresswoman Fletcher previously introduced 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.