House Passes Bill to Expedite Natural Gas Pipeline Permits

Nov 22, 2013

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Third, if an agency does not approve or deny the issuance of a license, permit or approval within the time period specified above, such authorization shall be deemed approved.

            During debate on Thursday, Democrats proposed five amendments that ultimately failed. Perhaps the most notable amendment was made by Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), who moved to strike the provision that requires FERC to automatically issue other agencies’ permits if the 90-day deadline is missed. Other failed amendments would have tolled the time limits until FERC has considered jurisdictional objections, required the applicant to provide a concrete methane mitigation plan before consideration of an application, delayed the Act’s implementation so long as sequestration is in effect and replaced the bill entirely with an alternative proposal mandating that the Government Accountability Office complete a study analyzing potential agency delays in the issuance of permits.1

             It is unlikely that the bill will pass in the Democrat-led Senate, and, if it does, reports from the White House claim that the President will likely veto the bill.2 T However, if the bill does become law, FERC staff may require additional resources to meet the new deadlines.  To see our past correspondence on H.R. 1900, please visit this page.  



1 https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1900

2 http://www.platts.com/latest-news/natural-gas/washington/pipeline-permitting-bill-passes-us-house-with-21855137

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