House Committee Advances Bill to Speed Up Natural Gas Pipeline Permits Under FERC

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 184 (Roll no. 334). (text: CR H5814-5816)

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 184 (Roll no. 334).

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 194 - 204 (Roll no. 333).

Within 30 days after a company applies, FERC identifies all relevant federal, state, local, and Tribal reviewers/consulting governments

Key governments get brought in early, which can reduce late surprises but also starts the clock sooner

Within 45 days after a company applies, FERC invites identified agencies and governments to join as “participating agencies”

Agencies that don’t opt in on time risk losing the ability to add comments to the official review record later

Within 60 days after a company applies, FERC designates participating agencies unless they formally decline

This locks in who is “in the process” and who is mostly out, shaping what input is considered

States/interstate water agencies propose water-protection conditions through FERC instead of issuing a separate Section 401 certification

Water concerns would be handled as proposed conditions inside the federal approval, with FERC deciding what gets included

After FERC finishes its environmental review, other required approvals are scheduled to be completed within 90 days (unless another law sets a different schedule)

Decisions on related permits could come faster once the main review is done, reducing waiting time for projects

Agencies send progress updates to FERC at least every 90 days and must report missed deadlines to Congress

More public accountability and pressure to meet timelines; also more paperwork for agencies

FERC consults with the Transportation Security Administration about the applicant’s pipeline security and cybersecurity practices

Security expectations may be addressed earlier; companies may need to show stronger protections before approval