Bill Overview
Title: LNG For 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) designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, or (2) designated by acts of Congress from such expedited approval for reasons of national security.
Sponsors: Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Target Audience
Population: Citizens of Taiwan and Ukraine who benefit from expedited U.S. natural gas exports
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The main group affected by this legislation will be the citizens of U.S. ally nations like Taiwan and Ukraine who will gain increased access to U.S. natural gas exports, potentially leading to lower energy costs and increased energy security.
- Natural gas industries and workers in U.S. are likely to be affected as increased exports may lead to more job opportunities and higher production demands.
- Consumers in the U.S. might see changes in natural gas prices, as increased exports could influence domestic gas supply and pricing.
- Environmental groups opposing fossil fuel expansion might be indirectly affected, raising concerns over environmental impacts of increased natural gas production and exports.
Reasoning
- Our approach needed to represent a diverse range of people impacted, covering industry workers, environmental activists, U.S. natural gas consumers, and people unaffected directly by the policy.
- Budget limitations restrict wide expansion initially, so immediate impacts on individuals might not be severe or widespread but trend changes could emerge by year 10.
- Innercity, rural, and industry-dense locations were deliberately chosen to reflect variances in potential impact based on geography.
- Due to limited initial budget, we included long-term projections (like Year 20) to understand eventual broader societal implications.
Simulated Interviews
Natural Gas Plant Worker (Houston, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful about increased job security and possibly more overtime as a result of this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Environmental Activist (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m concerned that expedited approvals could lead to environmental degradation and hinder transition to renewable energy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 6 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy won't really affect me personally but could indirectly influence my utility costs slightly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Small Business Owner (Cleveland, Ohio)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If utility costs rise significantly, it may impact my business margins negatively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retiree (Miami, Florida)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about higher gas bills as that affects my fixed budget.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Energy Sector Analyst (New York, New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The LNG For Allies Act could open up significant market expansion and economic diplomacy investments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Gas Station Owner (Bismarck, North Dakota)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More natural gas exports could mean more transport needs, benefiting my business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Freelance Writer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am curious and a bit skeptical about the policy's real impact on energy prices and security.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Natural Gas Exporter (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this policy as a clear opportunity to increase business volume significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Public School Teacher (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As long as it doesn't translate into higher bills, I'm indifferent.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Key Considerations
- Navigating international trade and regulatory compliance for expedited approval with allied nations.
- Balancing the need for increased exports with domestic pricing stability for natural gas.
- Environmental regulations and potential concerns over increased fossil fuel usage and production.