Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act
Description
This bill would expedite natural gas pipeline and terminal reviews by making FERC the sole lead agency for environmental assessments.
Summary
What it does
This bill proposes to expedite the environmental review process for natural gas pipeline projects and liquefied natural gas terminals by designating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the sole lead agency for coordinating reviews. Under the bill, FERC would establish deadlines for other participating government agencies, require concurrent reviews, and consult with the Transportation Security Administration on pipeline security. Additionally, the legislation would eliminate the requirement for project applicants to obtain state water quality certifications under the Clean Water Act, instead requiring FERC to coordinate its environmental reviews with affected states.
Who is affected
This bill affects the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which is designated as the sole lead agency for coordinating environmental reviews, as well as the Transportation Security Administration and other federal, state, local, and tribal agencies involved in the authorization process. Entities applying for natural gas pipeline or liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal projects are affected by new data submission standards and the removal of state water quality certification requirements under the Clean Water Act. Additionally, state governments where potential discharges into navigable waters may occur are impacted by new coordination requirements with FERC.
Key provisions
- Designation of FERC as lead environmental review agency. Establishes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the sole lead agency responsible for coordinating environmental reviews for natural gas pipeline and LNG terminal projects under the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Interagency coordination and participation deadlines. Requires FERC to invite federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to participate in the review process and establishes specific deadlines for designating these entities as participating agencies.
- Standardization of review scope and concurrent processing. Mandates that participating agencies defer to FERC’s approved scope for environmental reviews and requires that reviews by multiple federal or state agencies occur concurrently.
- Project authorization and security consultation requirements. Prohibits FERC from setting project authorization deadlines later than 90 days after the environmental review is complete and requires consultation with the Transportation Security Administration regarding pipeline security.
- Changes to water quality certifications and data collection. Eliminates the requirement for project applicants to obtain state water quality certifications under the Clean Water Act while requiring agencies to consider data gathered through aerial or remote sensing means.
Fiscal impact
- H.R. 3668, Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act· As reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 15, 2025
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This bill modifies the environmental review process for natural gas and liquefied natural gas projects authorized under the Natural Gas Act and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). It also removes the requirement for project applicants to obtain state water quality certifications under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to expedite the environmental review process for natural gas pipeline projects and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals by centralizing coordination under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It seeks to streamline authorizations by requiring concurrent agency reviews, establishing strict deadlines for project decisions, and modifying state water quality certification requirements.