Fedorchak votes to streamline permitting for interstate natural gas pipelines
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) today voted in support of H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, legislation to modernize the federal permitting process for interstate natural gas pipelines and strengthen American energy security.
“To keep the lights on, our showers hot, and prices affordable, we need more pipelines in our country,” Fedorchak said. “The federal government shouldn’t stand in the way of building this critical infrastructure with endless bureaucracy. This legislation strengthens FERC’s lead role and brings the coordination needed to speed up pipeline reviews so we can keep energy reliable, affordable, and made in America.”
BACKGROUND:
Under current law, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is designated as the lead agency for coordinating environmental reviews and associated federal authorizations for interstate natural gas pipelines. Unfortunately, pipeline infrastructure approvals are often delayed due to poor coordination or inaction among states and federal agencies.
The Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act modernizes the federal permitting process for interstate natural gas pipelines by bolstering FERC’s role as the lead agency for environmental reviews and bringing state water quality reviews under its coordination.
Under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the issuance or waiver of a state water quality certification is required for FERC to issue authorizations for natural gas pipelines. Some activist states have used this delegated authority to block interstate natural gas pipelines, regardless of the economic and security benefits they may bring, leading to energy shortages throughout the country, especially the Northeast.
In addition to strengthening FERC’s lead agency role, the bill further defines the process for participating federal and state agencies. The legislation requires participating agencies to comply with the schedules established by FERC. It also requires agencies to conduct reviews concurrently, and in conjunction with the NEPA project-related review by FERC.
Under H.R. 3668, instead of having to get a CWA Section 401 certification from a state, FERC would incorporate the water quality certification into its existing NEPA review, including terms or conditions proposed by states that are required for compliance with the CWA. Nothing in this legislation exempts projects from abiding by the CWA for any federal or state authorization.
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