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Sen. Lisa Murkowski on the boost to the U.S. economy of becoming a natural gas export.
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Our country is sitting on a gold -- of natural gas and the federal government is now considering tapping these reserves.
And making big profits by sending them overseas.
With more on what these exports could mean for our economy senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska -- she's being ranking Republican on the senate energy and natural resources committee.
-- -- the show great to have you here this means yeah daddy from the Energy Department says.
That this can mean if we export Nat gas it could mean up to 47 billion.
In 20/20.
And exports tell me more about what this could mean for our economy and for your state -- -- Well -- think about it.
An imbalance of trade prospective wouldn't it be nice to be on the on the positive.
Side.
The equation for a change.
And and also from their jobs perspective what we're seeing.
Winds LNG area that natural gas exploration arm around the country where where we are realizing that we have states that would never -- considered themselves to be -- energy producing state.
And yet they're producing now they're creating jobs.
It is a net benefit to the economy and that's what this energy report -- clearly established.
A net economic benefit.
Well you know it's interesting there are your detractors on this topic including.
Congressman Edward Markey on the house natural -- -- committee he says that exporting natural gas will increase prices for regular Americans.
Maybe as much as at 30%.
You agree with him does he have a right.
Well there has been -- fair amount of discussion about whether or not exports could actually push up that price -- the individual consumers.
But I think in fairness what we need to understand is -- talking about an increase in again.
In terms of dimes not dollars and that's important.
Put it in the context think about -- we have -- exporting coal from this country for decades that had not.
Increased its price.
Up -- to consumers so well.
Well there is fairness to too big to the concern that we may see a slight increase I think you need to put it into perspective.
If there is an incentive for producers to produce more here not only do we see the economic benefit from the jobs.
But as there is more produced here that's gonna work to reduce the overall cost to consumers -- My feelings are and what this says Ed and -- It now look at the end of the day every president since Eisenhower -- thank.
Has talked about the idea of the US being energy independent right and we don't depend on anybody.
Doesn't exploring selling our energy doesn't that put -- in a worst position and these have the energy independence.
-- -- holding onto it and letting Americans use this energy right here.
Home.
Not even when -- willing to.
Be part of the argument.
If we had.
Severe limitations on how much natural gas.
That we have here in this country in now calling as -- -- that this Saudi Arabia of natural gas.
-- of what we are are are finding here in this country and this is just in the lower 48.
Bring into hockey.
About their reserves that we have.
Option -- in Alaska.
Which are enormous in terms of our conventional.
Natural gas as well as our unconventional like -- methane.
Methane hydrates so the potential for us here in this country is huge but we needs to be allowed to access it.
-- rise to questions -- rather score widely expected decision on that.
US to export natural gas.
Well that the your second question really is is one that we need to be looking that says there's a lot of human cry right now that there's.
All of these these folks that are looking to export our natural gas in fairness there -- fifteen applications before the Department of Energy.
But.
Fact is beginning to DOE -- application is one thing it's clearly another hurdle to get.
Through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission -- where.
You have to have your contracts lined up -- for sale you've got to have that the cost.
The cost to actually export.
Really is is the factor that people are not looking critically at -- is billions.
Billions of dollars.
To to put a whole package together.
For for export so well -- people need to look at this a little more critically and not jump to so such quick conclusions that we're going to be sending.
All of our natural gas overseas -- markets -- -- happened.
Interesting thought I have to ask you one other question as -- you well now they're gonna be a record twenty women.
Serving in the senate there are some people believe that this will miraculously change the tone.
Debate.
It and Washington do you agree.
I think that -- women.
Doing good things is always a positive so will will see but I'm optimistic that.
That having more female voices in the congress is as a positive.
Senator thanks for coming on tonight's great to talk to you appreciate your time you are right.
