Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve or deny an application for a natural gas pipeline within 12 months.

Highlights:

• Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve or deny an application for the authorization to transport or sell natural gas no later than 12 months after receiving the complete application (Sec. 2).

• Requires an agency responsible for issuing a license, permit, or approval in connection with a “prefiled project” to approve or deny the issuance of the license, permit, or approval no later than 90 days after the Commission issues a final environmental document relating to the project (Sec. 2).

• Defines “prefiled project” as a project for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a natural gas pipeline to which a prefiling docket number has been assigned by the Commission (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if a license, permit, or approval in connection with a “prefiled project” is not approved or denied by the responsible agency within 90 days, the license, permit, or approval will take effect 30 days after the end of such period (Sec. 2).  

• Authorizes the Commission to extend the 90 day time period an agency has for issuance of a license, permit, or approval by 30 days if the agency demonstrates the following (Sec. 2):
• It cannot otherwise complete the process to approve or deny the license, permit, or approval; and
• It will be compelled to deny the license, permit, or approval due to not having completed the process.

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text