H.R. 647 – Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 2:52 AM UTC

The Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2023 seeks to remove current limits on U.S. natural‑gas exports and imports. It gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the sole power to approve or deny projects that export or import natural gas, including LNG terminals, while keeping the President’s existing sanction authorities intact. The changes affect natural‑gas producers, exporters, importers, and related infrastructure developers.

Key Provisions

Amends Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act by striking existing subsections and redesignating others to restructure the law.
Grants FERC exclusive authority to approve or deny siting, construction, expansion, and operation of facilities that export or import natural gas, including LNG terminals.
Clarifies that the Act does not alter other federal agency powers over natural‑gas facilities, except as specified.
Preserves the President’s power under sanctions laws (IEEPA, NEA, Energy Policy and Conservation Act, Trading With the Enemy Act, etc.) to prohibit imports or exports, including against state sponsors of terrorism.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.

Energy Subcommittee

February 10, 2023

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 31, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

January 31, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.

Energy Subcommittee

February 10, 2023

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in HouseIssued January 31, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 647

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 31, 2023

Mr. Johnson of Ohio introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To repeal restrictions on the export and import of natural gas.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2023.

2.

Advancing United States global leadership

Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b) is amended—

(1)

by striking subsections (a) through (c);

(2)

by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively;

(3)

by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c), and moving such subsection after subsection (b), as so redesignated;

(4)

in subsection (a), as so redesignated, by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) The Commission shall have the exclusive authority to approve or deny an application for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a facility to export natural gas from the United States to a foreign country or import natural gas from a foreign country, including an LNG terminal. Except as specifically provided in this Act, nothing in this Act is intended to affect otherwise applicable law related to any Federal agency’s authorities or responsibilities related to facilities to import or export natural gas, including LNG terminals.; and

(5)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(d)

(1)

Nothing in this Act limits the authority of the President under the Constitution, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), part B of title II of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6271 et seq.), the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.), or any other provision of law that imposes sanctions on a foreign person or foreign government (including any provision of law that prohibits or restricts United States persons from engaging in a transaction with a sanctioned person or government), including a country that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to prohibit imports or exports.

(2)

In this subsection, the term state sponsor of terrorism means a country the government of which the Secretary of State determines has repeatedly provided support for international terrorism pursuant to—

(A)

section 1754(c)(1)(A) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4318(c)(1)(A));

(B)

section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371);

(C)

section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780); or

(D)

any other provision of law.

.