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March 18, 2021

Barrasso Bill Helps NATO Allies Increase Energy Security and Escape Dependence on Russia

Bill would impose sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream II gas pipeline and expedite the export of American natural gas to NATO allies.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced legislation to give North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members an escape from Russia’s political coercion and manipulation.

The Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act, or the “ESCAPE Act,” (S. 819) enhances the energy security of NATO members by providing those countries with reliable and dependable American energy. It also mandates sanctions on the Nord Stream II pipeline that would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany, along with other Russian energy export pipelines.

“Russia continues to use its energy resources to intimidate and influence our allies,” said Sen. Barrasso. “The ESCAPE Act will take away this geopolitical weapon by sanctioning the Nord Stream II pipeline and expanding American natural gas exports. In the United States, especially in Wyoming, we’re blessed with an abundance of natural gas. Helping our allies quickly obtain American energy resources loosens Putin’s economic and political grip on the region.”

“Energy security is national security, and expanding American energy exports will create a safer Europe by removing Vladimir Putin’s heavy hand off our allies’ energy grids," said Rep. Miller. “American energy is cleaner and more efficient than Russian natural gas, and this legislation reaffirms our commitment to American energy dominance.”

Representative Carol Miller (WV-3) introduced the companion bill to the ESCAPE Act in the U.S. House of Representatives today.

Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) are original cosponsors of the ESCAPE Act.

Background

Some of America’s European allies are increasingly dependent on Russian gas. Russia continues to undermine peace and security in Europe through a variety of mechanisms, including its use of energy as a geopolitical weapon.

The Nord Stream II pipeline, which would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany, would make Europe more reliant on Russian gas by undermining the diversification of Europe’s energy sources, supplies and routes.

The Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act or the “ESCAPE Act”:

• Directs the U.S. permanent representative to NATO to work with NATO member states to address energy security for the organization’s members and partners in Europe and Eurasia.

• Calls for a comprehensive U.S. government transatlantic energy strategy that focuses on increasing the energy security of our NATO allies and partners and increasing American energy exports to those countries.

• Requires the secretary of Energy to expedite approvals of natural gas exports to NATO allies, Japan and any other foreign country where exports of natural gas would promote the national security interests of the United States.

• Authorizes mandatory U.S. sanctions on the development of Russian energy pipeline projects, such as Nord Stream II.