CQ Roll Call: Berzins: Will Europe Benefit From Shale Boom?

Europe is watching with interest as Congress debates liquefied-natural-gas exports. The outcome will shape domestic manufacturing, foreign affairs and free-trade commitments for years to come.

With the shale gas boom bringing unprecedented natural-gas production, the United States must make a choice between keeping its newfound bounty at home and sharing it with other countries.

The decision could have major geopolitical consequences. American liquefied natural gas would allow Europe to turn toward a trusted ally for energy rather than rely on risky suppliers such as Russia and Qatar. Exports to Europe would promote U.S. foreign policy objectives.

For decades, European states have been locked into long-term contracts for natural gas, mostly from Russia. When Russian gas stopped flowing in 2009 because of a pricing dispute with Ukraine, families in Southern and Eastern Europe were left to shiver in the bitter January cold.

Liquefied natural gas is an essential part of Europe’s strategy to secure its energy supplies. In 2011, LNG accounted for a quarter of the European Union’s natural-gas imports, but about half of this LNG came from Qatar. Overreliance on Qatar for LNG makes Europe’s energy security contingent on stability in the Persian Gulf.  MORE