S2028-118

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Expediting Natural Gas Exports to Allies Act of 2023.

2. Natural gas exports to allies and strategic partners Congress finds that expediting the approval of natural gas export applications for projects intended to increase the capacity of the United States to export natural gas to allies and strategic partners will— empower United States natural gas exporters to better assist the strategic and national security interests of the United States and allies and strategic partners of the United States; and lead to job growth, economic development, and energy security. Section 3(c) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b(c)) is amended— by striking (c) For purposes and inserting the following: In this subsection, the term covered nation— means an ally described in section 3(b)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2753(b)(2)); and during the period described in subparagraph (B), includes Cyprus, Moldova, Sweden, Taiwan, and Ukraine. The period described in this subparagraph is the period— beginning on the date of enactment of the Expediting Natural Gas Exports to Allies Act of 2023; and ending on December 31, 2030, or such later date as the President determines is in the interest of national defense (as defined in section 702 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4552)) or is otherwise in the interests of the United States. Except as provided in paragraph (3), for purposes in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by inserting the exportation of natural gas to a covered nation, before or the exportation; and by adding at the end the following: The Commission shall not grant expedited approval under paragraph (2) of an application for exportation of natural gas to any nation that is subject to sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States. The Commission shall not grant expedited approval under paragraph (2) of an application for exportation of natural gas to any nation designated by an Act of Congress as excluded from such expedited approval for reasons of national security. The amendments made by subsection (b) shall not affect any Federal authorization to export natural gas from the United States to a foreign nation or to import natural gas into the United States from a foreign nation that is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. (c)Expedited application and approval process(1)Definition of covered nation(A)In generalIn this subsection, the term covered nation—(i)means an ally described in section 3(b)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2753(b)(2)); and(ii)during the period described in subparagraph (B), includes Cyprus, Moldova, Sweden, Taiwan, and Ukraine.(B)Period describedThe period described in this subparagraph is the period—(i)beginning on the date of enactment of the Expediting Natural Gas Exports to Allies Act of 2023; and(ii)ending on December 31, 2030, or such later date as the President determines is in the interest of national defense (as defined in section 702 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4552)) or is otherwise in the interests of the United States. (2)Expedited approvalExcept as provided in paragraph (3), for purposes; (3)Exclusions(A)Nations subject to sanctionsThe Commission shall not grant expedited approval under paragraph (2) of an application for exportation of natural gas to any nation that is subject to sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States.(B)Nations designated by CongressThe Commission shall not grant expedited approval under paragraph (2) of an application for exportation of natural gas to any nation designated by an Act of Congress as excluded from such expedited approval for reasons of national security..