WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced legislation banning energy exports to China and other foreign adversaries. Having long warned of America “exporting our principal advantage in the world economy,” Senator King joined with colleagues to introduce the Protecting American Households From Rising Energy Costs Act. The legislation would ban the export of crude oil or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Senator King has repeatedly warned against “subsidizing Chinese manufacturing” by exporting natural gas to our adversaries without studying how it could be counterproductive for America’s domestic energy costs. Recently, he released a statement applauding the Administration’s decision to take a comprehensive review of the potential domestic and global ramification is a major increase in LNG export capacity before granting approval for more facilities.

“With heating costs in flux, climate change shifting global temperature norms, and global conflicts impacting energy prices, it is vital that we closely consider energy export goals to make sure we are prioritizing American families,” said Senator King. “The Protecting American Households from Rising Energy Costs Act would ensure that America provides our nation with a vital natural resource before subsidizing manufacturing and other industries that benefit our adversaries. This is a commonsense approach that will support America’s national defense and help to keep energy costs as low as we can for everyday Americans.”

In 2021, 1.2 billion cubic feet per day of LNG were exported to China, making it the second largest destination for American LNG at 12.7 percent of exports. Exports to China dropped in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine, but China is locking up long-term LNG contracts from the U.S. for proposed projects. The Protecting American Households From Rising Energy Costs Act would increase American energy security and protect American consumers by ensuring that valuable national resources are not being exported to adversarial nations.

In addition to King, this legislation is sponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Jack Reed (D-RI).

Senator King has consistently worked to help lower energy prices for Maine people. In a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, he spoke out against increasing exports of LNG. Last year, amid Russia’s continued disruptions to global energy markets, Senator King wrote a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm urging her to work with key stakeholders and local governments to mitigate the risk of price hikes and shortages of natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and heating oil.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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