Lankford Frustrated by Lack of Answers On Natural Gas
U.S. Rep. James Lankford of Oklahoma seeks answers regarding natural gas exports
By Chris Casteel | Published: March 20, 2013
WASHINGTON — An Energy Department official declined Tuesday to give a timetable for decisions on exporting liquefied natural gas to some countries, frustrating Rep. James Lankford at a House subcommittee hearing.
Christopher Smith, acting assistant secretary for fossil energy at the Energy Department, brushed aside repeated questions from Lankford on how long it would take the department to act on export applications from countries that don’t have free-trade agreements with the United States.
Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, and many other lawmakers have been pressing the administration to approve applications from about 20 countries or at least issue guidance on when and how the decisions will be made.
The issue has divided natural gas producers, who want a broader market for the huge supply of gas, and domestic manufacturers, who claim more exports would drive energy prices higher at home as the country is enjoying a rebirth in manufacturing.