Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act

H.R. 3668 would change how the federal government approves natural gas pipeline projects and liquefied natural gas terminals. Currently, multiple federal and state agencies review these projects separately, which can cause delays. This bill would make the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the single lead agency coordinating all environmental reviews, requiring other agencies to follow FERC's timeline rather than conducting their own separate reviews. The bill would set specific deadlines: agencies must be identified within 30 days, invited to participate within 45 days, and formally designated within 60 days.

The bill would also change how states protect water quality. Under current law, states can require water quality certifications before pipelines are built near their waterways. This bill would eliminate that requirement and instead have FERC incorporate water quality concerns into its environmental review, with states providing input as participating agencies. The bill would limit FERC's authorization deadline to 90 days after environmental reviews are complete.