Us Congress Senate Bill SB988

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/23
• Refer: 3/27/23

Caption

Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Projects Act

Impact

The bill's passage could significantly alter the regulatory landscape for natural gas project approvals by ensuring that federal authorizations occur within a stipulated timeframe of 90 days post the FERC's NEPA review completion. The bill aims to mitigate delays attributed to overlapping reviews, which often hinder timely project implementation. It also mandates the identification of participating agencies within a specific period, ensuring a more organized and predictable review process. This is expected to benefit project developers and, by extension, enhance energy supply reliability and economic benefits associated with natural gas resources.

Summary

SB988, titled the 'Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Projects Act', aims to improve the process for federal review of natural gas projects under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The bill outlines procedures for FERC to act as the lead agency in conducting environmental reviews in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for project applications. By establishing a framework for coordination among various federal and state agencies, the bill seeks to streamline approval processes, thus facilitating the implementation of essential natural gas infrastructure projects.

Contention

Despite its streamlined approach, SB988 has faced scrutiny from environmental advocates and some legislative members concerned about potential compromises in environmental protections. Critics argue that accelerating permit approvals could undermine thorough environmental assessments and public input, potentially leading to adverse ecological impacts. The bill's focus on interagency coordination might be viewed as prioritizing infrastructure development over environmental safeguards, raising concerns about whether such a balancing act can preserve regulatory integrity while promoting energy projects.