House OKs North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act

The House passed a wide-ranging energy-reform bill late last week, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, which would, among many things, lift the ban on U.S. oil exports and improve energy security, including the electrical grid.

The recently amended bill, which also aims to modernize the nation's energy laws and infrastructure, was sponsored by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and was passed by a 249-174 vote -- a margin not wide enough to overcome the threat of a presidential veto.

The bill also would speed up the approval process for liquefied natural gas exports, as well as the permitting process for cross-border energy infrastructure projects.

Upton said the bill would update U.S. energy policy to move the nation away from policies set during the oil shortage of the 1970s.

“This bill seeks to update those laws to maximize America’s energy potential,” Upton said. “The United States is now the world’s largest producer of petroleum and natural gas, but America’s energy infrastructure has failed to keep pace with our energy renaissance. Falling behind has hurt businesses and consumers, and is holding America back from becoming the world’s leading energy superpower.”

The White House previously has indicated that President Obama would veto the bill over language that could restrict the environmental-review process for natural gas projects. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.