Controversy Over LNG Exports Heats Up as Production Expands

Abstract

President Obama is expected to address a broad array of energy and energy‐related policies during his second term—particularly those that relate to the dramatic surge in domestic natural gas and oil production. Not since the first OPEC oil embargo in 1973–74 has the United States been presented with the opportunity to dramatically reduce its dependence on foreign energy suppliers. The United States is projected to become a net exporter of natural gas by 2020.1 America is similarly projected to become the largest global oil producer around 2020, and a net oil exporter by 2030.2