HOUSE 2115 (117th Congress) — SAFER Pipelines Act of 2021

Actions

2021-03-22Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
2021-03-19Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2021-03-19Introduced in House
2021-03-19Introduced in House

CRS Summary

As of 2021-03-19 (00)

Safe and Accountable Federal Energy Review for Pipelines Act of 2021 or the SAFER Pipelines Act of 2021

This bill revises the process used by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review a pipeline expansion project.

Before granting a certificate for a proposed pipeline expansion project, FERC must conduct (1) a full evidentiary hearing on any contested issue of need for the expansion; or (2) a cumulative review of major energy infrastructure projects planned throughout the region of the expansion, their purported purpose and need, and their prospective impacts on state and regional energy goals. In addition, the bill outlines criteria FERC must consider before granting such a certificate.

In addition to existing environmental review requirements, FERC must meet new environmental review requirements for interstate natural gas pipeline projects, including the requirement to consider the cumulative impacts of other natural gas pipeline projects as specified by this bill.

Finally, FERC must monitor approved pipeline projects for five years to ensure that environmental mitigation steps have been implemented.

Cosponsors (3)

Tom Malinowski (D-NJ)
ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
Steve Cohen (D-TN)

Subjects

Administrative remedies
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Licensing and registrations
Oil and gas
Pipelines