Bill Overview
Title: Expediting Natural Gas Exports to Allies Act
Description: This bill revises the approval process for applications to export natural gas. Specifically, the bill expedites the approval process for certain U.S. allies, such as Taiwan and Ukraine. However, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may not grant expedited approval for applications to export natural gas to any nation that is (1) subject to sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States, or (2) designated by acts of Congress from such expedited approval for reasons of national security.
Sponsors: Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in or dependent on natural gas markets globally
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill impacts natural gas exporters in the United States as it changes the approval process for exports.
- U.S. allies such as Taiwan and Ukraine may experience economic benefits from receiving expedited U.S. natural gas exports.
- The general population in affected allied countries might see changes in energy costs or availability as a result of increased natural gas imports.
- Companies involved in natural gas production, transportation, and export in the U.S. may benefit economically from streamlined approvals.
- Global natural gas markets could be impacted by changes in supply dynamics due to expedited exports.
Reasoning
- The policy directly affects individuals and businesses involved in the natural gas industry due to changes in export approval processes. Those working in natural gas extraction, transportation, and exportation may see economic benefits over time, improving job security and growth opportunities.
- The general U.S. population might experience indirect impacts, such as changes in domestic natural gas prices due to increased exports. The extent of this impact could vary based on individual or regional reliance on natural gas.
- U.S. allies benefiting from expedited natural gas exports might see cost savings on energy, which could indirectly influence the U.S. economy through increased geopolitical stability.
- A small segment of the population, particularly those involved in regulatory roles or policy advocacy, will have direct engagement with the effects of the expedited approval process.
Simulated Interviews
Natural Gas Export Manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe expediting the approval process will open up new markets faster, boosting our business.
- This change should lead to more job security for our team.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Energy Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with strategic interests to support allies, but we should monitor its environmental impacts.
- The regulatory oversight needs to ensure no breaches occur in safety protocols.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Environmental Activist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expediting natural gas exports could harm the environment if not managed properly.
- I worry that increased gas exports divert focus from renewable energy goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Pipeline Engineer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I expect job opportunities to grow with increased exports, which secures my career.
- Pipeline safety must continue to be a top priority despite expedited processes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Financial Investment Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy provides lucrative investment opportunities in U.S. natural gas companies.
- It offers a chance to strengthen economic ties with allied nations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Boston, MA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Higher exports could spike natural gas prices, affecting my operating costs.
- I fear smaller companies like mine might not absorb potential price hikes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy change could stimulate demand for better energy management solutions.
- It presents opportunities but also challenges for the industry to balance tech with energy needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Union Leader (Cleveland, OH)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our members stand to gain from more stable job prospects as export markets expand.
- We must ensure these changes don't compromise worker safety standards.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Natural Gas Trader (Chicago, IL)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could create new market dynamics and trading opportunities.
- However, volatility could also increase due to shifts in global supply and demand.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a good case study for students to understand international energy trade.
- I'm concerned about potential long-term impacts on domestic market stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $16000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $21000000)
Year 3: $17000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $22000000)
Year 5: $18000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $23000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The U.S. will need to ensure no expedited approvals are granted to sanctioned countries, maintaining national security policies.
- Environmental impacts of increased natural gas exports, such as emissions and ecological disruption, need evaluation.
- The policy shift might face geopolitical challenges, affecting U.S. relationships and global energy markets.