Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act
The legislation mandates that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) serve as the lead agency for NEPA reviews. It will establish deadlines for federal authorizations and requires other relevant agencies to follow these timelines rigorously. This could significantly alter the existing framework by centralizing authority within FERC for certain federal approvals, which proponents argue will lead to faster completion times for necessary energy projects. Furthermore, the bill allows applicants to fund independent contractors to assist in the review process, potentially speeding up the evaluation of applications.
House Bill 3668, known as the 'Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act', aims to enhance the coordination of federal and state agencies involved in reviewing applications for natural gas pipeline authorizations under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. One of the primary goals of the bill is to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process, which often delays the authorization of essential energy infrastructure. By establishing clearer roles and responsibilities for participating agencies, the bill seeks to promote a more efficient approval process, thereby reducing uncertainty for energy project developers.
However, the bill faces criticism from various environmental groups and regulatory watchdogs. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential for reduced scrutiny of environmental impacts on natural ecosystems, as the expedited processes may lead to insufficient assessment of ecological consequences. Critics argue that this could undermine local and state agency involvement, which have historically acted as checks on potential adverse outcomes. The shifting of authority may raise fears of diminishing environmental protections in favor of accelerating energy development, drawing sharp lines between development needs and environmental safeguarding.