Bill > HR6378

This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to more comprehensively evaluate the environmental and climate impacts of proposed natural gas infrastructure projects. Specifically, when assessing whether a project serves the public convenience and necessity, FERC must now thoroughly examine the project's greenhouse gas emissions and its potential effects on environmental justice communities (defined as populations of color, indigenous, or low-income communities experiencing disproportionate environmental harm). The bill mandates that FERC quantify projected greenhouse gas emissions, including upstream and downstream emissions, and presumes that emissions of 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year constitute a significant climate change impact. Additionally, the bill requires project applicants to submit mitigation proposals addressing potential environmental and climate effects, and directs FERC to attach conditions to project certificates that address adverse impacts on climate change and environmental justice communities. If significant environmental effects cannot be fully mitigated, FERC must provide a detailed explanation of why the project is still necessary. The overall goal is to ensure that FERC more rigorously considers environmental justice and climate change implications when approving natural gas infrastructure projects.

Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6378/all-info