The LNG permitting certainty and transparency act specifically calls for a 45-day time limit from the publishing of the environmental review on a project for the Secretary of Energy to make a decision on the project.

“The US natural gas revolution has strengthened our energy independence, bolstered our economic competitiveness, reduced our carbon emissions, and given us a foreign policy tool that can help reduce the world’s energy reliance on hostile regimes,” Kaine said.

“This Bill gives the US Department of Energy a reasonable 45-day deadline, after it has received the final results of all studies, to determine whether to approve an LNG export proposal. This will strengthen the ability of American companies to strike deals with overseas customers, while maintaining a thorough review process to ensure such projects are in our national interest.

Co-sponsor of the Bill, Senator John Barrasso said the act would help clean up Washington’s red tape.

“LNG exports will create jobs across the country, reduce our nation’s trade deficit, and strengthen the energy security of key US allies who are eager to buy America’s natural gas,” he said.

“Right now, LNG exports are being stalled by Washington red tape and permitting delays. Our bipartisan Bill fixes this by creating clear deadlines that force Washington to make timely decisions on these critical energy permits.

“This is a win-win for our economy and America’s national security interests.”

As the law currently stands, the secretary of energy must make a public interest determination when making the decision on whether or not to approve a project for exports to non-free trade agreement countries.

This requirement includes a public comment period which can be a lengthy process.

By pushing authorities to make the decision within 45 days, the act would afford applicants to ability to get expedited judicial reviews if the time limit was exceeded.

The Act would also require applicants to disclose the country or countries to which they will export and the Secretary to make this information publically available.