March 11, 2022For Immediate Release
BETO DOES COMPLETE U-TURN ON LNG EXPORTS
“Credibility-challenged Beto O’Rourke’s support yesterday for LNG exports is a complete reversal from his past opposition to expanding LNG exports. From guns to the border to LNG exports, Beto continues his Extreme Texas Makeover Tour” – Mark Miner, Communications Director
BETO NOW – This Week O’Rourke Touted LNG Exports As A Way To Counter Russia.
This Week O’Rourke Touted The Fact Texas Can Export LNG To Europe To Counter Russia. O’ROURKE: “And I love the idea that we might even be able to export LNG to those countries in Europe who shouldn’t have to depend on Russia going forward, given what they are doing in Ukraine right now.” (Beto O’Rourke, Remarks, Port Arthur, TX, 3/9/22)
BETO THEN – O’Rourke Voted Against Efforts To Expand LNG Exports From The United States:
In 2015 O’Rourke Voted Against H.R. 351, The LNG Permitting Certainty And Transparency Act. “On Wednesday, the House voted on and passed the LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act (H.R. 351) by a 277–133 vote. I voted against H.R. 351.” (Beto O’Rourke, “Voted ‘No’ on H.R. 351,” Medium.com, 1/30/15)
· H.R. 351 Would Significantly Speed Up The Permitting Process For LNG Exports From The United States, Which Experts Said Would Reduce Regulatory Impediments To LNG Exports. “Restrictive regulations and permitting processes that operate at glacial speed (as opposed to market speed) pose the primary hurdles to greater U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). In response to a chorus of complaints from industry, Senators John A. Barrasso (R-WY) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) recently introduced the ‘LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act,’ the 114th Congress’s first legislation aimed at increasing U.S. exports of LNG. … Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) subsequently introduced H.R. 351, an identically named bill with virtually identical legislative language, in the House on January 14, 2015. … Despite the robust enforcement levers the Act proposes, it would not address a major obstacle to expanding U.S. LNG exports: the ponderous environmental review process for export projects, which can take between 18 and 30 months and cost $100 million for proposals to export LNG to countries with which the U.S. does not have free trade agreements (FTAs). However, it would force the DOE to make much faster decisions on whether to grant commercially advanced facilities permits allowing them to export gas to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the U.S., a cohort that includes Japan, Ukraine, and other large potential customers for U.S. LNG. … Bottom Line: The Act Is a Positive First Step Toward Reducing Regulatory Impediments to Greater U.S. LNG Exports.” (Gabriel Collins, “The ‘LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act’— A Positive Step Toward Expediting U.S. LNG Export Projects,” JDSupra.com, 1/19/15)
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