Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Latta for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act offered by Chairman Hudson.

My Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues and I have been hard at work this year, crafting commonsense legislative solutions to improve our burdensome Federal permitting process. The bill before us today is just one example.

Due to unclear review processes and a lack of coordination amongst government agencies, pipeline infrastructure approvals in this country have been significantly delayed in many cases, often resulting in insufficient infrastructure to transport our clean natural gas.

The result is an electric grid that is less reliable and increased utility prices for hardworking Americans. While natural gas demand is expected to reach an all-time high, accounting for more than 40 percent of electric generation in the U.S. next year, this is clearly a pressing issue that must be addressed immediately. H.R. 3668 is the answer.

This legislation bolsters FERC's rule as the lead agency in the natural gas pipeline review process, empowering them to oversee communication between agencies and streamline pipeline reviews and approvals so Americans can access the energy they need on a daily basis.

Mr. Speaker, the build-out of interstate natural gas pipeline infrastructure is essential to ensuring domestic energy can be transported efficiently and meet growing electricity demands. H.R. 3668 should be an easy ``yes'' vote for Members on both sides of the aisle.

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