Markey: Natural Gas Export Approvals May Be Unlawful
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts wrote a letter to the Obama Administration yesterday regarding his concern that the export of natural gas from the US is illegal. Senator Markey argues that despite a clear directive from the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) to prohibit the export of both American oil and natural gas, the Department of Commerce has failed to issue regulations to prohibit natural gas exports. Though the Commerce Department has issued regulations prohibiting the export of crude oil, similar rulemaking has not been issued to prohibit the export of natural gas. Senator Markey is concerned that failure to issue this regulation could harm consumers, the economy, and national security. Further, Senator Markey argues that the US government may be at risk to be sued by any company harmed by increasing prices, which result from sending US natural gas abroad. Read more in the press release.