US concerned about European dependence on Russian gas

Fuel Fix:
A top official in the Trump administration warned Congress Thursday that Europe was becoming increasingly dependent on Russian supplies of natural gas as the continent shifts from coal, and the United States must increase LNG exports to counter Russian influence there.

"Due to a lack of supply routes and insufficient pipeline buildout, Europe is also becoming more, not less dependent on Russian natural gas," Steven Winberg, assistant secretary of fossil energy said during a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "That does not have to be the case. Our nation is endowed with vast supplies of natural gas and production is growing rapidly."

Winberg's testimony comes amid increasing tensions between the White House and Moscow, as U.S. intelligence agencies report renewed efforts to influence U.S. voters ahead of the midterm elections. During a visit to Moscow Thursday to meet with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said the administration was considering sanctions targeting Russia's planned Nordtream 2 pipeline into Germany.
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The Obama administrations slow rolling of the approval of LNG export facilities as urged by Democrats is largely responsible for this strategic vulnerability.  What is needed are more such facilities and more supply deal with Europeans to ween them off the Russian gas before it can be used to extort them in the event of a conflict with Russia.

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