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WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) delivered the following remarks at today’s Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee hearing on the use of American energy exports to improve U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies.

Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks 

“U.S. exports of our natural gas, our oil and our coal provide opportunities to advance our foreign policy objectives and strengthen our national security.

“Our nation can help countries diversify their energy imports away from countries like Iran, Russia and Venezuela.

“The Administration and Congress need to focus on energy and take the steps required to eliminate barriers for exports of American natural gas, oil and coal.

“One good example of how the United States can assist our allies and partners through U.S. energy resources is the current situation in Europe. 

“Many of our European allies import more than 80 percent of their natural gas from Russia—with some importing as much as 100 percent.

“While in the past, Russia controlled the nations of Eastern Europe through military force - Russia now seeks to control them economically. 

“Russia is able to use its energy resources to manipulate and threaten countries in Eastern Europe because of their dependency on Russia’s natural gas.

“Countries are asking America to increase exports in order to help reduce the threat Russia poses to Europe by offering an alternative source of natural gas. 

“Every molecule of American natural gas that makes it into the world’s market is going to be a molecule that cannot be used by Russia to hold countries in Europe hostage. 

“In July 2014, Ukrainian President Poroshenko wrote an article in the Washington Post asking for the United States to help Ukraine and respond to Russia. 

“He said, ‘We need U.S. natural gas to shore up our energy supplies so that we cannot be blackmailed by Moscow. We need a reliable partner and ally to help fuel our nation.’ 

“Four of our allies in Europe — Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic — have asked the U.S. to increase exports to help blunt Moscow’s influence. 

“Those countries know what Russian aggression looks like and they are asking for our help.

“It is time for the United States to take the needed steps to help expedite U.S. energy resources.

“The geopolitical benefits of U.S. energy exports are not limited to Europe. 

“Whether we talk about the United States being an alternative to Iran’s crude oil exports for countries like China, India, Japan or South Korea, which would help cut off a vital supply of funding to the Iranian regime. 

“Or, the United States supplying natural gas to help boost economic development for countries in the Western Hemisphere dealing with the uncertainty of Venezuela’s energy exports and subsidies.

“Or, the United States strengthening engagement and trade with East Asian nations. 

“U.S. energy exports can provide important national security benefits and strengthen America’s foreign policy leadership across the globe. 

“Over the last several years, I have introduced several legislative initiatives aimed at making it easier to export American natural gas to our allies overseas.

“Earlier this year, I introduced S. 33, the ‘LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act’ 

“The bipartisan bill expedites the permitting process for LNG exports by requiring the Secretary of Energy to make a final decision on an export application within 45 days after Federal Energy Regulatory Commission completes the environmental review process. 

“I am also a cosponsor of S.1312 introduced by Senator Murkowski to repeal the ban on exports of domestic crude oil. 

“Through these efforts and many others, I continue to work to remove barriers and increase exports of American natural gas, oil and coal.”

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https://www.barrasso.senate.gov

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