Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act
The Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act would place FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) in the lead role for NEPA environmental reviews tied to authorizations under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (and related certificates under section 7). The bill requires early identification and involvement of participating federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, sets specific timelines for inviting and designating participating agencies, and promotes coordinated, expeditious review of pipeline projects. It also introduces provisions on water quality coordination, public accountability and transparency of the review process, and security consultation with the Transportation Security Administration. Overall, the bill aims to streamline interagency reviews, reduce delays, and provide clearer, public progress tracking for major natural gas pipeline reviews.
Key Points
- 1NEPA leadership and interagency coordination: FERC would be the sole lead agency for project-related NEPA reviews of NGA section 3 authorizations (and NGA section 7 certificates), and would coordinate early with participating agencies to ensure information from the NEPA review is useful to those agencies.
- 2Participating agencies and deadlines: The bill requires identifying potential participating agencies within 30 days of an application, inviting them within 45 days, and designating them as participating agencies within 60 days unless an identified reason (jurisdiction, expertise, or intent to comment) is absent or rejected.
- 3Water quality coordination: The act allows state or interstate agencies to propose terms/conditions related to water quality (under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act) that would be incorporated into the federal authorization if necessary to meet water standards, and requires the Commission to consider such conditions only if they are necessary to ensure compliance with relevant water quality provisions.
- 4Schedules, concurrent reviews, and accountability: The Commission would set a schedule for the federal authorization review (not exceeding 90 days after NEPA completion, unless law says otherwise). Agencies must implement plans to meet these schedules, provide readiness notices, and report progress at least every 90 days. If deadlines are missed, agency heads must notify Congress and the Commission with a recommended implementation plan.
- 5Security and data use: The bill requires TSA security consultation regarding pipeline security and would allow the use of aerial or remote data for reviews (with onsite verification if needed). It also permits the use of third-party contractors to assist in reviewing applications.