The U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills late Wednesday aimed at streamlining the permit process for pipelines and related energy infrastructure.
H.R. 2910 (115) – identified as the Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act – was introduced on June 15, 2017 by Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas). The bill would bolster the permitting process by strengthening the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s lead agency role. FERC would have more control over environmental reviews of interstate natural gas pipelines along with requiring improved coordination among various federal and state agencies. The bill passed the House by a vote of 248-179.
H.R. 2883 (115) – identified as the Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act – was introduced on June 12, 2017 by Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin and Texas Rep. Gene Green. This bill would establish coordinated procedures to authorize the construction, connection, operation and maintenance of international border-crossing facilities for the import and export of oil and natural gas and the transmission of electricity. It would place permitting authority for cross-border oil pipelines with FERC while giving authority over permitting for electrical transmission to the Energy Department after eliminating the State Department’s authority to permit pipelines or electric transmission projects that cross the U.S. border. This bill would also replace the requirements established under Executive Order that persons obtain a Presidential Permit before constructing an oil and gas pipeline or electric transmission facility that crosses the U.S. border between Canada or Mexico. This measure passed the House by a vote of 254-175.
