WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comment on the release by the Department of Energy of a study on the impacts of U.S. natural gas exports as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

“The administration should be commended for commissioning such a comprehensive and transparent review of the potential impacts of exporting natural gas,” Murkowski said. “It’s clear from the study that exporting LNG would be beneficial to the U.S. economy, and the greater the level of exports, the greater the benefit.”

DOE is required to approve exports to countries with free trade agreements with the United States, but it can limit or block exports to non-FTA countries if it finds they are not in the public interest.

DOE put a hold on reviewing export license applications until two studies on LNG exports were finalized. The Energy Information Administration released the first one in January. Today’s report is the second study.

Murkowski said that based on the findings of the most recent study, it may be time to revisit the approval process for exporting LNG to non-FTA countries.

“The conclusions in this report on the benefits to the economy should inform the DOE approval process regarding exports,” Murkowski said. “This is a really good report and it really does provide guidance as we move forward.”

Murkowski is the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.