Panel votes to speed up gas exports

A House subcommittee passed a bill proposed by Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) on Wednesday aimed at expediting liquefied natural gas exports to U.S. allies.

Gardner proposed the bill in light of the crisis in Ukraine, which has highlighted the dependence of Eastern Europe on Russia for natural gas supplies.

{mosads}The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy and Power passed the bill in a 15-11 vote Wednesday morning.

An amendment to the bill passed as well, which mandates companies disclose what countries they export natural gas to and when. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) proposed the measure but voted against the larger bill, stating there were a number of issues that still needed to be resolved before a full committee vote.

Gardner, who is challenging Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), said not passing the bill would be “like hanging up on a 911 call.”