Rep. Markey Introduces Legislation to Restrict Gas Exports
U.S. Representative Ed Markey (D-Mass.) has introduced three bills to limit exports of oil and natural gas produced from federal lands for ten years. The bills provide (1) that the Secretary of the Interior may accept bids on any new oil and gas leases of federal lands (including submerged lands) only from bidders certifying that all natural gas, oil and refined products produced pursuant to such leases shall be offered for sale only in the United States; (2) that a new right-of-way for a natural gas pipeline over federal lands may not be granted unless the applicant certifies that all gas transported via such pipeline shall be offered for sale only in the United States; and (3) that the U.S. Department of Energy shall develop a new process for determining whether applications to export natural gas are in the public interest. Read more in the press release.