Washington, D.C. - The Senate today passed the Energy Policy Modernization Act, which includes a number of Colorado priorities backed by Senator Michael Bennet. Bennet worked with the bill's sponsors to secure permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and a bipartisan proposal to expedite the approval process for exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the United States.

The bill also includes a Bennet amendment that would help establish more practical mortgage lending processes by allowing mortgage lenders to consider a home's energy efficiency and expected monthly energy bills when determining the homeowner's ability to afford monthly mortgage payments. It also contains language that would protect two of Colorado's most popular landmarks and includes a provision to reimburse Colorado and other states that provided funds to temporarily reopen national parks during the 2013 government shutdown.

"This bill takes important steps toward the 21st century energy policy that our country so badly needs," Bennet said. "With the help of Coloradans, we've secured a number of measures to help promote our state's diverse energy portfolio and ensure we can continue to protect the heritage of our public lands. The House should quickly take up and pass this bill."

Bennet-backed provisions included in the bill:

• Permanent Reauthorization of LWCF: The bill includes Bennet's bipartisan bill introduced with Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) to permanently reauthorize the LWCF, which has been used to preserve urban and rural landscapes throughout Colorado.
• Expedited consideration for LNG exports: Bennet helped secure a bipartisan measure to expedite the approval process for exports of LNG to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the United States. Prior to approving applications to export natural gas to these countries, the Secretary of Energy must make a public interest determination which includes a public comment period. The Bennet-backed provision specifically requires a decision on any LNG export application within 45 days after the environmental review document for the project is published.
• SAVE Act: Bennet's bipartisan SAVE Act amendment introduced with Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) is based on a bill the senators introduced that would help establish more practical mortgage lending processes by allowing lenders to consider a home's energy efficiency and expected monthly energy bills when determining the homeowner's ability to afford monthly mortgage payments.
• Protecting Colorado's public lands: The Senate adopted a bipartisan public lands package that includes several Bennet-backed bills, including two that would preserve land in Arapaho National Forest and Pike National Forest adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. It also includes a provision to reimburse Colorado and other states that provided funds to temporarily reopen national parks during the 2013 government shutdown.