HR 3668: Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act

HR 3668 in plain English: This bill makes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the sole lead agency for coordinating environmental reviews of natural gas pipeline projects and liquefied natural gas (LNG) import or export terminals. It sets deadlines and process rules to speed up these reviews, including requiring FERC to issue an authorization no more than 90 days after completing an environmental review. It also removes the requirement for applicants to obtain state water quality certifications under the Clean Water Act.

Stated purpose

This bill aims to speed up the environmental review process for natural gas pipeline projects and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals by making one federal agency — the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) — the single lead coordinator for all reviews, so that agencies work together instead of separately.

Key points

• Makes FERC the only lead agency for environmental reviews of natural gas pipelines and LNG terminals
• Prohibits FERC from setting an authorization deadline more than 90 days after completing the environmental review
• Requires multiple federal and state agency reviews to happen at the same time, not sequentially
• Removes the requirement for pipeline applicants to obtain state water quality certifications under the Clean Water Act
• Requires FERC to consult with the Transportation Security Administration on pipeline security measures

Arguments supporters make

• Requiring agencies to review projects at the same time instead of one after another cuts delays and gets energy infrastructure approved more efficiently.
• Having one lead agency with clear authority prevents agencies from duplicating work or using their separate review powers to block projects indefinitely.
• Faster approvals for natural gas pipelines and LNG terminals can strengthen U.S. energy supply and support exports, benefiting the broader economy.

Arguments opponents make

• Removing the state water quality certification step takes away an important tool that states use to protect their rivers, lakes, and drinking water from pipeline-related pollution.
• Forcing other agencies to defer to FERC's review scope could result in environmental or safety concerns being overlooked or underweighted if those agencies have expertise FERC lacks.
• Tribes, local governments, and states lose meaningful input into decisions that directly affect their land and water, reducing their ability to protect local communities.

Tradeoffs

The bill trades a more thorough, multi-agency environmental review process for a faster, centralized one — gaining speed and predictability for pipeline projects while reducing the independent oversight role of states, tribes, and other federal agencies, particularly on water quality.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

NewsClear — neutral news & congressional tracking · Bill of the Week