Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, R-Southwest Louisiana, today introduced and passed an amendment to ensure American access to safe, secure liquefied natural gas.

 

“Our nation has a growing demand for natural gas and this amendment will help to ensure domestic LNG expansion,” Boustany said. “This week I was pleased to attend the opening of Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass LNG facility located in Cameron Parish. Once fully operational, the facility will be the largest LNG receiving terminal in the world and will play a critical role in meeting U.S. energy demands.”

The LaTourette/Boustany amendment ensures state and local security resources are considered when certifying security plans at new LNG facilities. Without the amendment, certification would hamper participation of state and local governments and law enforcement. The amendment is part of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008, which provides funding levels for the Coast Guard and other marine programs.

 

The amendment passed unanimously on the House floor during consideration of the broader bill.

 

Boustany’s remarks follow:

 

 

 

Madame/Mr. Speaker:   I rise in support of the amendment.

 

Our nation has a growing demand for natural gas and this amendment will help to ensure we don’t halt future domestic LNG expansion. Some localities have turned their backs on this promising energy solution – they’ve said, “Not In My Backyard.” But in Louisiana, we pride ourselves on producing and delivering the energy that all Americans rely upon – and LNG is no exception.

 

This week I was pleased to attend the opening of Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass LNG facility located in Cameron Parish. Once fully operational, the facility will be the largest LNG receiving terminal in the world and will play a critical role in meeting U.S. energy demands. Within the next decade, 25 percent of all natural gas will run through my district. In fact, the Sabine Pass facility alone will account for 5 percent of US natural gas.

 

We should not kill future LNG expansion by arbitrarily legislating that no new facility can be certified unless the Coast Guard has the assets on-hand to carry-out security measures. The Coast Guard must continue to have the ability to partner with local agencies, waterway users, state government, and local law enforcement to manage and protect our waterways. 

 

A cooperative approach is working for the Coast Guard and Southwest Louisiana, and we should not handcuff those communities and regions that want to host these facilities. The LaTourette/Boustany amendment will ensure that state and local resources are considered when certifying security plans at new LNG facilities.

 

I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

 

 

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