Senator Wyden Statement on Cove Point Approval

September 11, 2013

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden issued the following statement in response to the Department of Energy’s approval of a fourth liquefied natural gas export terminal, from the Cove Point facility in Lusby, Md.

“With today’s approval, the United States is now squarely in the range that experts are saying is the most likely level of U.S. natural gas exports. If DOE approves exports above that range, the agency has an obligation to use most recent data about U.S. natural gas demand and production and prove to American families and manufacturers that these exports will not have a significant impact on domestic prices, and in turn on energy security, growth and employment.”

DOE has now approved exporting 6.37 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to countries that do not share free trade agreements with the United States.