WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), has introduced legislation banning energy exports to China and other foreign adversaries. Having long warned that America is “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.

“The Protecting American Households from Rising Energy Costs Act would ensure that America provides our nation with its power needs before subsidizing industries in adversarial countries. This is a commonsense approach that will support America’s national defense and help to keep energy costs lower for everyday Americans,” said Senator King.

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 Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Jack Reed (D-RI).

Senator King has consistently worked to lower energy prices for Maine people. During his first term in Congress, Senator King introduced the Natural Consumer Gas Protection Act, which would have required the Department of Energy (DOE) to consider the effect that any natural gas export proposal would have on domestic prices and employment, regional impacts, and any impact on U.S. industrial competitiveness. Senator King has also worked to support the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and to support Maine people struggling to heat their homes.

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