Bipartisan lawmakers are urging President Obama to green-light the construction of liquified natural gas facilities in hopes of turning the U.S. into a natural gas exporter. The coalition says the expansion of domestic shale gas production has created the need for the country to sell the natural gas to other countries. They worry if potential exportation sites are not found, supply could actually diminish as a result of limited market space.
More than 232 trillion cubic feet of liquified natural gas exist between Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. However, environmentalists argue that exporting the natural gas will amplify air pollution and lead to an increase in fracking.
The lawmakers say if the Energy Department expedites issuing permits, more jobs would be created and our nation’s debt could be greatly reduced.