Bill > HR161

Introduced Session

Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve or deny a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a prefiled project within 12 months after receiving a complete application that is ready to be processed. Defines "prefiled project" as a project for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a natural gas pipeline with respect to which a prefiling docket number has been assigned by FERC pursuant to a prefiling process established by FERC for the purpose of facilitating the formal application process for obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Requires the agency responsible for issuing any federal license, permit, or approval regarding the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a project for which a certificate is sought to approve or deny issuance of the certificate within 90 days after FERC issues its final environmental document regarding the project. Requires FERC to grant an agency request for a 30-day extension of the 90-day time period if the agency demonstrates that it cannot otherwise complete the process required to approve or deny the license, permit, or approval, and therefore will be compelled to deny it. Authorizes FERC, in granting such an extension, to offer technical assistance to the agency in order to address conditions preventing completion of the application review. Declares that, if the agency fails to approve or deny issuance of a permit, license, or approval within the prescribed time-frame, the license, permit, or approval shall take effect upon expiration of 30 days after the period's end. Directs FERC to incorporate into the terms of a license, permit, or approval any conditions proffered by the agency that FERC does not find to be inconsistent with the final environmental document.

Committee Categories

Mike Pompeo (R)*,  Charles Boustany (R),  Bradley Byrne (R),  John Carter (R),  Chris Collins (R),  Kevin Cramer (R),  Sean Duffy (R),  Jeff Duncan (R),  Blake Farenthold (R),  Chuck Fleischmann (R),  Paul Gosar (R),  Richard Hanna (R),  Bill Johnson (R),  David Jolly (R),  Mike Kelly (R),  John Kline (R),  Doug LaMalfa (R),  Doug Lamborn (R),  Bob Latta (R),  Billy Long (R),  Tom Marino (R),  David McKinley (R),  Markwayne Mullin (R),  Tim Murphy (R),  Pete Olson (R),  Robert Pittenger (R),  Bruce Poliquin (R),  Tom Reed (R),  Matt Salmon (R),  Pete Sessions (R),  Chris Stewart (R),  Roger Williams (R),  Lee Zeldin (R),  Ryan Zinke (R), 

Received in the Senate. (on 01/22/2015)

Official Document