Bipartisan legislation (HR 1900) introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) seeks to bring more certainty to the interstate natural gas pipeline permitting process, giving federal agencies up to 90 days after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues a certificate (one-time 30-day extension for unforeseen circumstances) to complete their work. The time line would apply to any federal agency charged with issuing a permit for an interstate gas project, including the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (right-of-way grant) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Endangered Species Act; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Clean Water Act); and the Environmental Protection Agency (emissions permit). Pipeline projects require as many as 10 permits. The time limit would codify existing regulations following the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), which were intended to expedite projects. A study this year by the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America found that the percentage of federal authorizations for interstate pipes that were issued more than 90 days beyond FERC’s issuing environmental impact statements (EIS) or environmental assessments (EA) rose from 7.69% before EPAct became law to 28.05% after implementation (see NGI, Jan. 21). Federal authorizations granted 180 days or longer after FERC issued an EIS or EA rose from 3.42% to 19.51%. Cosponsors of the legislation are Reps. Jim Matheson (D-UT), Pete Olson (R-TX), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Bill Johnson (R-OH).
1900
Articles from 1900
House Bill Strives for More Certainty in Pipe Permitting
U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) Friday introduced bipartisan legislation (HR 1900) that seeks to bring more certainty to the interstate natural gas pipeline permitting process.
Transportation Notes
Due to unscheduled maintenance on the Terrebonne system’s 319B-1900 line, Trunkline will not be accepting nominations at the South Timbalier 187, 185 and 179B meters starting Friday. The work is expected to last for three days.
Transportation Notes
Mojave Pipeline (Line 1900) upstream of Daggett Station will not be shut in May 27, according to an El Paso bulletin board posting. However, the Topock Compressor Station will be down to replace station controls May 27-31, during which there will be no deliveries from the El Paso interconnect (DMOJAVE). Transwestern will be able to deliver 160 MMcf/d into Mojave during the outage.