LNG Allies, which is bankrolled by governments in Europe, has hired Franklin-Hamilton of Wilmington to a $20M monthly fee pact to push for the "free, fair and expedited trade of natural gas and other resources between the US and its global allies."

The Washington embassies of Lithuania, Croatia and Czech Republic are members of the coalition's "council of embassies," which acts as an advisor to the LNG coalition.

Eastern European countries are heavily dependent on the import of natural gas from Russian state-owned Gazprom, which has cut off Ukraine in the past.

Current laws ban the export of liquefied natural gas to countries that don't have a free trade agreement with the US.

Exemptions are granted only after a lengthy review to determine that the gas export is in the best interests of the US.

The coalition wants to either accelerate the review process or allow gas exports to NATO countries.

The coalition believes a successful lobbying effort will create a more liquid natural gas market, expand fuel diversity and enhance energy security.

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