Rubio Joins Cassidy, Colleagues in Urging Biden Administration to Facilitate LNG Exports, Undermine Russian Influence

Press Release

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and a group of 25 Republican colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm urging the DOE to facilitate liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to supply our European allies with energy in the midst of increasing tensions with Russia. The letter was a response to a February 2, 2022 letter signed by 10 Democratic senators calling for the Biden Administration to curb LNG exports.

Earlier this week, Rubio and Cassidy introduced the Expediting Natural Gas Exports to Allies Act, legislation which would expedite the approval of LNG exports to supply allies and key strategic partners, including Ukraine and Taiwan.

"We are concerned by recent attempts to restrict liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the United States to our European allies amid rising tensions caused by Russia," the senators wrote. "Specifically, the misguided request made by several of our colleagues in a February 2nd letter runs counter to ongoing efforts to assist our allies in pivoting their energy supply chains away from Russia."

"Increased production and export volumes of U.S. natural gas encourage developing nations to use a cleaner fuel source. Investing in domestic oil and gas production creates U.S. jobs. It lowers domestic and global emissions. It also increases U.S. energy security and makes us essential to the energy security of others," the senators continued. "We ask that you please consider these factors in your ongoing efforts to facilitate the supply of energy commodities to our allies and partners, while simultaneously securing clean and reliable energy domestically."

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