America's Energy Advantage Statement on DOE Approval of Dominion Cove Point LNG Export Application

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- America's Energy Advantage today issued this statement in response to DOE's conditional approval of the Dominion Cove Point LNG Export Application.

Statement of Jennifer Diggins, Director, Public Affairs for Nucor Corporation and Chair of AEA: 

"This decision raises the risk of increased consumer prices and utility bills and could limit the prospects for a sustained manufacturing renewal in America.   The Obama Administration needs to define for stakeholders and energy consumers how this and any future grant approvals meet the required public interest test.  DOE has conceded in previous applications that the market for natural gas of the future very likely will not resemble the market of today, so it is important we understand what data will be used to consider future applications."

"We are now approaching a volume of LNG exports that many experts project will impact price and volatility for natural gas.  We're increasingly concerned with the process and data DOE is using to justify more exports of American natural gas to our global competitors.   DOE is making decisions that could have far-reaching and potentially irreversible impacts on our economy and American manufacturing based on 30-year-old guidelines for natural gas imports, not exports.  No matter where one stands on this issue, surely we can agree that exports and imports are different, and that DOE needs to make rules based on the 21st century, not the 1980s."

"Because of all this uncertainty and because so much is at stake, DOE should immediately undertake a review of the cumulative impacts of its decisions up to this point, and clearly articulate in advance its criteria for determining the public interest under the law."   

About America's Energy Advantage

America's Energy Advantage, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) not for profit organization that is dedicated to educating the American public about the growth in American manufacturing that has been made possible by our country's abundant and affordable supply of natural gas.

SOURCE America’s Energy Advantage