TITLE: Recognizing February 22, 2017, as Liquefied Natural Gas Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 22, 2017, as Liquefied Natural Gas Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Representatives of liquefied natural gas projects, pipeline companies, government, and other stakeholders are gathering in Austin on February 22, 2017, to highlight the benefits of liquefied natural gas exports; and WHEREAS, Pioneering exploration and extraction methods have opened vast natural gas resources to development, and demand on our nation's natural gas markets can now grow with little impact on domestic prices; plentiful supplies and unprecedented advances in technology also present a historic opportunity for the United States to achieve energy self-sufficiency while creating jobs and wealth; and WHEREAS, Global demand for liquefied natural gas is expected to climb significantly in the coming years; the United States Department of Energy estimates that by the early 2020s, liquefied natural gas will dominate the country's natural gas exports; two new liquefied natural gas export facilities are under construction in Texas and are expected to be operational in the next two years; another has received all necessary permits to begin construction, and four more are awaiting final regulatory approvals from the federal government; and WHEREAS, According to recent studies, the expansion of liquefied natural gas markets will generate billions of dollars in net benefits to the United States economy; moreover, increases in liquefied natural gas exports could create hundreds of thousands of jobs, including tens of thousands in construction and operations; and WHEREAS, In Texas, construction and operation of multiple liquefied natural gas export facilities along the Gulf Coast will encourage new direct infrastructure investments worth billions of dollars and contribute local tax revenues to communities across the state, and such projects could create more than 150,000 jobs and up to $31 billion in income for Texas residents by the year 2035; and WHEREAS, Liquefied natural gas exports will contribute to the nation's global energy leadership and to other vital goals, including stability in natural gas pricing, increased business investment, job growth, and higher revenues for communities in natural-gas-producing areas; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby recognize February 22, 2017, as Liquefied Natural Gas Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those participating in this event sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and educational visit to Austin. Estes President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 22, 2017.