[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   U.S. LNG EXPORTS TO THE BLACK SEA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2016

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of U.S. 
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports.
  U.S. LNG is of vital importance to our friends around the world, 
specifically those in the Black Sea.
  Currently, our European allies are stuck in a struggle for energy 
independence from Russia.
  More critically, the burgeoning democracies in Ukraine, Bulgaria and 
Romania are largely dependent on Gazprom for their crucial gas 
supplies, and we are all well aware Russia is seeking to influence its 
neighbors' political process by threatening their gas supply.
  American LNG could give Ukraine and the other Black Sea nations a 
real alternative.
  In fact, there are Texas companies already engaged in negotiations 
with the Ukrainian state gas companies to build Ukraine's Black Sea LNG 
receiving terminal and supply U.S. LNG to Ukraine.
  There exists a concern that an impediment to Ukraine receiving U.S. 
LNG is the uncertainty surrounding the passage of LNG tankers through 
the Bosphorus Straits.
  Under the 1936 Montreux Convention, which controls how the Bosphorus 
Straits are to be used in peacetime, the LNG tanker issue should 
already be resolved.
  Article 1 provides that ``The High Contracting Parties recognize and 
affirm the principle of freedom of transit and navigation by sea in the 
Straits.''
  Article 2 states that ``In time of peace, merchant vessels shall 
enjoy complete freedom of transit and navigation in the Straits, by day 
and by night, under any flag with any kind of cargo.''
  Even with the clear language of the Treaty, debate continues as to 
governmental authorities over the waters of the Bosphorus.
  It is time to bring clarity to this important issue and open the 
Black Sea to U.S. LNG exports.
  U.S. LNG exports will play an important role in the future of our 
allies.
  It is my hope we can develop a reasonable, consensus approach to 
allow LNG to pass through the Bosphorus Straits.

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