Draft
Resolution In Support of Expanded Liquefied Natural Gas Exports
WHEREAS, plentiful natural gas supplies and unprecedented advances in technology have provided a historic opportunity for the U.S. to achieve energy self-sufficiency while creating jobs and wealth for our economy; and
WHEREAS, pioneering exploration and extraction methods have opened such vast natural gas resources to development that demand on U.S. natural gas markets can grow with little impact to domestic prices; and
WHEREAS, according to the US Energy Information Administration, the United States was the largest exporter of natural gas in the world in 2023; and
WHEREAS, expanding exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a key component to helping the United States realize its potential as a global energy leader while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and strengthening the U.S. economy; and
WHEREAS, global demand for LNG is expected to grow significantly over the next two decades and America’s ability to export natural gas to our allies is a strategic asset that helps to support our friends and undermine potential adversaries evidenced by the US supplying more than half of Europe’s LNG imports; and
WHEREAS,the construction and operation of LNG facilities have created thousands of American jobs – indirectly and directly – including 35,000 jobs in 2023 alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); and
WHEREAS, according to the US Department of Commerce, LNG exports contributed $30 billion to the US economy in 2023 and according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global demand is projected to grow 3% by 2030; and
WHEREAS, expanded LNG exports would promote stability in natural gas pricing and spur increased investments by the natural gas industry, providing more jobs and revenue for roads and schools in natural gas producing regions; and
WHEREAS, creating additional markets for U.S. natural gas is also consistent with national trade and security policy because failure to do so would force our allies to continue to rely on regimes hostile to U.S. interests for their energy needs; and
WHEREAS, construction and operation of LNG export facilities would incentivize new direct infrastructure investments worth billions of dollars and generate royalties and local tax revenues directly into communities across the country; and
WHEREAS, in January 2024, the current presidential administration paused the issuance of non-free-trade-agreement (FTA) permits for LNG export development; and
WHEREAS, a diverse coalition of LNG producers, energy and petroleum companies, business groups, service companies, elected officials and others have expressed their support for LNG exports.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the state of _____ endorses expanded markets for LNG exports from the United States and encourages regulatory and legislative policies designed to streamline and simplify the permitting process.
Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors on October 11, 2014.
Amended and approved by the ALEC Board of Directors on September 24, 2024.