Markey 'disappointed' with LNG study

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said he was "disappointed" there were flaws in a study on the potential benefits of natural gas exports from the United States.

Markey, ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, said a report submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy on gas exports was outdated and contained "key missteps."

NERA Economic Consulting produced a report under a commission from the Energy Department. The report stated that potential exports of liquefied natural gas could have "net economic benefits" for the United States but not affect the country's overall employment picture.

"I was disappointed to find fundamental flaws with the study that I fear may have led to conclusions that severely underestimate the negative impacts of large-scale natural gas exporting," Markey said in a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

When the report was released, Markey said it was clear that the industry would benefit and the consumer would pay for LNG exports.

Markey, in his letter to the energy secretary, called for a re-evaluation of the report's findings.

Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairmen of the Natural Resources Committee, welcomed the report, describing the U.S. natural gas sector as the "bright spot" in the U.S. economy.