North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. Chairman, I was disappointed to see the Rules Committee decided to add H.R. 2295, the National Energy Security Corridors Act, to H.R. 8.

There is no doubt that getting natural gas to where it is needed and to lowering electric and heating bills are worthy accomplishments, but we shouldn't accomplish these by steamrolling the concerns of residents who would see new pipelines built in their backyards.

Right now, there are multiple proposals to run natural gas pipelines from West Virginia through the Commonwealth of Virginia to the eastern seaboard. There is the Atlantic coast pipeline, the Mountain Valley pipeline, and more being considered.

Understandably, people who live along the proposed route of these pipelines are concerned. Once a pipeline route is approved by FERC, land can be taken by eminent domain. The companies involved, of course, want to draw the straightest, cheapest route they can. The communities in the way of these routes face huge impacts, environmentally and financially. They deserve a say.

Unfortunately, the legislation provides absolutely no method for the public to have their voice heard when it comes to the location of these corridors. It completely waives the Natural Environmental Policy Act for the corridor designation, shutting out the community's opportunity for public input.

Local governments are only allowed to speak to the extent that they can help identify the most commercially viable, cost-effective acreage. Individual resident concerns or environmental factors don't even come into play.

This is not a productive way forward. This doesn't simplify getting natural gas to the people who need it. This is a way that will lead to more opposition, more lawsuits, and an atmosphere of distrust and resentment

I have another concern. H.R. 8 now contains a provision which will allow pipelines to be permitted across national parks without congressional approval. This is contrary to longstanding U.S. law. Every time we put a pipeline across a park, Congress has been involved.

My many friends in the Appalachian Trail community and the national parks conservation community are deeply worried about Congress abrogating its responsibility to approve such pipeline crossings.

We can't ignore the people and the parks that will be impacted by this bill. I encourage my colleagues to oppose H.R. 8.

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