A U.S. energy group has decided to take the debate over liquid natural gas export into the public domain, with the first major marketing campaign on the subject starting in advance of the November elections, according to Reuters.

Natural gas exploration and production has suffered in the past two years as surging output from unconventional natural gas reserves has dramatically depressed prices. To help spur renewed investment in the industry, the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas launched a new campaign on Monday to raise the profile of the issue.

Thus far many legislators have avoided confronting the possibility of LNG exports because many manufacturers and refineries are opposed to the higher prices that would result. Natural gas exploration, however, could be limited without exports and The New York Times notes that many energy companies have seen net losses to this point.

"There is a lot of stranded investment waiting to be unleashed in these projects that would pour billions of dollars into local and national economies, if the regulatory process would be freed up and allowed to move forward," Bill Cooper, the head of the CLNG, told Reuters.

PennEnergy's Research area suggests public opposition is unlikely to stop LNG exports.