Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB988

Introduced
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.

Companion Bills

US HB829

Related Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act

US HB1115

Related Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act

US HB1

Related Lower Energy Costs Act This bill provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals). For example, it sets forth provisions to (1) expedite energy projects, (2) eliminate or reduce certain fees related to the development of federal energy resources, and (3) eliminate certain funds that provide incentives to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill expedites the development, importation, and exportation of energy resources, including by waiving environmental review requirements and other specified requirements under certain environmental laws, eliminating certain restrictions on the import and export of oil and natural gas, prohibiting the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing (a type of process used to extract underground energy resources), directing the Department of the Interior to conduct sales for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters as specified by the bill, and limiting the authority of the President and executive agencies to restrict or delay the development of energy on federal land. In addition, the bill reduces royalties for oil and gas development on federal land and eliminates charges on methane emissions. It also eliminates a variety of funds, such as funds for energy efficiency improvements in buildings as well as the greenhouse gas reduction fund.

US SB947

Related Lower Energy Costs Act Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act

US HB2811

Related Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023

Similar Bills

US SB1170

Project Safe Childhood Act

US SB1199

Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment Act of 2023 STOP CSAM Act of 2023

US SB1111

ADVANCE Act of 2023 Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2023

US SB25

Assault Weapons Ban of 2023 This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, except for certain shotguns; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; (4) only capable of firing rimfire ammunition; or (5) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model. The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture. The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.

US SB1886

Pray Safe Act of 2023

US SB847

International Children with Disabilities Protection Act of 2023

US SB1396

Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act

US SB2043

Department of State Authorization Act of 2023