New DOE Chief Is Cautious on Gas Exports

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324787004578497762644925132.html

The new U.S. energy secretary raised the possibility of delaying further approvals for U.S. companies seeking to export natural gas, saying he wants to review whether the government's studies of the issue are adequate.

The comments by Ernest Moniz, who was sworn in as energy secretary Tuesday, came as industry executives urged the Department of Energy to move quickly on export applications, some of which have been waiting for more than a year. 

Sempra Energy  [SRE -0.92%] executive Octavio Simoes, who is in charge of the company's bid to export liquefied natural gas, told lawmakers Tuesday that time is running short for the U.S. because other natural-gas producers around the world are stepping up efforts.