Former intel chief: Tax gas exports to fund oversight, safer tech

{mosads}The conference is sponsored by energy companies and co-hosted by the National Bureau of Asian Research, where Blair is a board member, and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

His op-ed arrives as the Energy Department is weighing industry applications that would greatly expand U.S. exports of natural gas. Blair, who is also the former commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, is bullish on the prospect of new exports.

From the U.S. News op-ed:

[E]xports of natural gas to Asia would bring economic benefits to the United States. To sustain their rapid growth and domestic demand, the Asian Tiger economies require fuel. Meeting Asia’s needs would generate billions of dollars in direct investment in the United States. This, in turn, would create domestic jobs in energy extraction, processing, refinery infrastructure, trade and financial services

The column also addresses the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Check it out here.