PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1635, EMPOWERING STUDENTS THROUGH ENHANCED FINANCIAL COUNSELING ACT, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4606, ENSURING SMALL SCALE LNG CERTAINTY AND ACCESS ACT
Bill Johnson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-9-5

I thank Madam Chairwoman for recognizing me. prgtoken , I represent rural eastern and southeastern Ohio, which is no stranger to the benefits of natural gas. It sits on top of the Utica and Marcellus shale plays, which have led to a growing interest in new and exciting manufacturing opportunities, like ethane cracker plants and ethane storage hubs. prgtoken Those opportunities have become viable thanks to new technologies that have led to an increase in natural gas production. But that increased production has also been the result of the growing demand for excess U.S. natural gas. prgtoken H.R. 4606, the Ensuring Small Scale LNG Certainty and Access Act, will help ensure the United States takes full advantage of our opportunities for excess small scale LNG exports, along with encouraging production opportunities here at home. prgtoken Specifically, this bipartisan bill provides that applications under the Natural Gas Act for the importation or exportation of small volumes of natural gas, that being defined as 0.14 billion cubic feet per day, shall be granted without delay, but only if they do not require an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. prgtoken Despite the U.S. being the world's leading producer of oil and natural gas, American companies are unable to efficiently export small quantities of gas to neighboring countries. By reducing regulatory constraints and codifying a similar rule issued by the Department of Energy, H.R. 4606 will better allow our domestic providers the opportunity to provide a stable source of U.S. energy to countries currently reliant on Venezuelan fuel oil, which has been used to gain influence in countries in the Caribbean and Central and South America. prgtoken This effort to increase U.S. energy opportunities within the region is not new, as the previous administration also sought to increase energy engagement through the creation of the Caribbean Energy Security Initiative. prgtoken As many independent and DOE-commissioned studies have confirmed, the benefits of natural gas exports are clear. They are a net positive to our domestic economy, but that is not the only benefit. prgtoken As Puerto Rico continues to rebuild after the devastating hurricane in 2017, increased shipments and availability of reliable U.S. natural gas can help the island meet its energy needs. prgtoken Additionally, LNG exports can only serve to strengthen U.S. ties with countries throughout the region. prgtoken With U.S. natural gas reserves as large as they are and with new technological advancements allowing our producers to access an increasing amount of natural gas each and every day, it is imperative that the U.S. take full advantage of this abundant resource and the economic benefits it provides here at home. H.R. 4606 is a step in that direction. It will strengthen U.S. geopolitical ties, increase job creation, and promote economic growth as a result. prgtoken , I en