WASHINGTON (AP) -- Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz says he will move "expeditiously" to review about 20 applications to export liquefied natural gas and will make decisions by the end of the year.
Moniz, who took office last month, told a House energy panel Thursday that he has been reviewing the issue and will soon begin evaluating applications on a case-by-case basis.
Asked whether he would make decisions on export applications this year, Moniz said "yes, absolutely," but he did not give a more specific timeframe.
Moniz said earlier he would not decide on exports until he reviews studies by the Energy Department and others on what impact the projects would have on domestic natural gas supplies and prices.
An Energy Department study last year concluded exporting natural gas would benefit the U.S. economy.
