The first bill of the new congressional session introduced by U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson is a familiar one as he’s sponsored it three previous times without success.

Johnson’s bill, called the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act, would allow domestic suppliers of natural gas, including liquified natural gas, to export it to allies in Europe and Asia after completing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s review process rather than additional approval by the U.S. Department of Energy, which takes much longer.

The bill, with Johnson as the lone sponsor, would help spur the construction or expansion of natural gas facilities.

“We have abundant energy resources right here in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays here in Ohio and across the country,” said Johnson, R-Marietta. “We have the opportunity to lead on the world stage as a global provider of clean and abundant U.S. natural gas. If other countries can rely on America for their energy, they can rely less on cruel, energy-rich dictators like Vladimir Putin” of Russia.

Johnson’s 11-county district includes Mahoning and Columbiana.

He is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials.

Johnson had introduced this bill in 2017, 2020 and 2021 without a vote taken any time on the proposals.

Johnson said his bill would help preserve the future of American energy, protect American energy jobs and strengthen national security.

The President Joe “Biden administration continues to send mixed messaging on whether it supports reliable, sustainable and affordable energy resources like natural gas,” Johnson said. “At a time of great global uncertainty, for America to not be sitting at the head of the global energy table is dangerous. My legislation would change that.”

Johnson said his proposal is “good climate policy. Expanding American liquified natural gas exports results in massive global carbon emissions reductions. It is past time that we cut the red tape surrounding the natural gas export permitting process and unleash homegrown American energy.”

PELL GRANT BILL

Shortly after reintroducing the LNG bill, Johnson signed on as a chief sponsor of the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act that would expand eligibility for federal Pell Grant programs to those interested in pursuing short-term, high-quality education and training programs to address worker shortages.

The bill was introduced in 2021 by Andy Levin, a Michigan Democrat who lost re-election last year, and wasn’t considered by the House.

Johnson said he is sponsoring the bill because “we have a serious workforce problem in America. But the road to entering our workforce with a meaningful career doesn’t always have to start with obtaining a traditional four-year degree at a university — a path that often burdens students with thousands of dollars in student loans. There are enough open jobs nationwide to employ every American seeking work, but not every applicant has the necessary skills to fill in-demand jobs.”

If approved, the JOBS Act would extend Pell Grant eligibility to qualified programs that are between 150 and 600 clock hours and at least eight weeks in length, Johnson said. It adds “eligible career pathway program” and “eligible job training program” as categories eligible for Pell Grants.

Pell Grants are currently awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and haven’t earned a degree, according to the U.S. Department of Education.