Lincoln Diaz-Balart: “Liquefied natural gas is a major component of domestic U.S. energy growth, and it is facilitating the export of U.S.…”

“Liquefied natural gas is a major component of domestic U.S. energy growth, and it is facilitating the export of U.S. natural gas around the world. Railroads have been successfully moving flammable gases for 100 years. As a matter of fact, Transport Canada already allows LNG on rail and tank cars. So this provision would put us at a huge disadvantage with our largest trading partner. Furthermore, DOT always conducts a thorough, comprehensive, and transparent safety evaluation, accounting for public input and, again, before allowing for transportation of any hazardous material. This amendment would block a proven process at DOT and would inhibit U.S. LNG from meeting growing markets, the demand from growing markets for cleaner--again, cleaner--and more affordable energy. And again, Mr. Chairman, this is another important point. Currently, this is moved by trucks. They are all over the country, trucks moving LNG. And so, obviously, the question is: Are rails less safe than moving this on trucks? Obviously, the answer, I would say, is no. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentleman referred to trucks. Actually, we are talking about very small quantities in special containers, not massive rail tank cars holding these amounts. Another thing is that there is no known company. You can't contact them.…”