Some lawmakers are citing the crisis in the Ukraine as a reason to advance their energy policy agenda, such as expanding U.S. exports of natural gas to limit European reliance on Russian natural gas exports and promoting the Keystone Pipeline project.  

National Journal : House Energy and Commerce “Republicans, who want the Energy Department to act faster on a backlog of export applications, released a report in early February touting the ability of U.S. gas exports to ease Russian influence on Eastern and Central European nations.”  

“Russia supplies roughly one-fourth of Europe’s natural gas, and a significant amount is piped through Ukraine.”  

“Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., used a wide-ranging statement on the Ukrainian crisis to offer fresh calls for approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, calling it part of an energy strategy that can curb Russian influence.”  

Hoeven: “The United States needs to reduce our reliance on overseas energy … It also means building more energy infrastructure like the Keystone XL pipeline without delay.”