Sen. Byron Dorgan Discusses Natural Gas Policy with Environment and Energy Daily

The article reported that the hearing will focus on “the geopolitical implications of allowing exports of liquefied natural gas to move forward, but discussion is likely to touch on regional support for the proposal, job creation and economic benefits.”

“We have more debate than we have exports at this point,” said Sen. Dorgan, the former Democratic Senator of North Dakota. “I don’t think anybody really knows whether the economics of very substantial exports of natural gas [will make it] a widespread practice.”

Sen. Dorgan said that exporting natural gas is a nonpartisan issue. Rather, the conversation is more about Congress and the American people having a better understanding of the matter. “At this point, it’s reasonable for people to think about these issues and wonder about them,” he said, “but it’s also important to understand what the market is going to do.”

The article cited a report by the US Geological Survey that estimated oil shales in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana are 50 times what they were previously estimated in 1995. It also highlighted a report by the Potential Gas Committee that said natural gas supplies in the US have swelled over 26 percent in the last two years.

Sen. Dorgan elaborated that all of the information coming in about natural gas will make it difficult to forecast the kind of policy the US Department of Energy will have. “Things are changing so fast,” he said.