H.R. 161--Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this unnecessary legislation, which would place arbitrary deadlines on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decisions, potentially forcing them to deny applications because they simply do not have enough information to make a credible determination.

FERC has received high marks from the Government Accountability Office for its predictable and consistent application process. This bill would needlessly disrupt what is already working, forcing FERC to abide by rigid deadlines no matter how large or complex a project happens to be. If other agencies with permitting authority on a project fail to report to FERC within the bill's timeline, FERC would become a kind of ``super-permitting'' agency, with the ability to issue permits on the agencies' behalf without the expertise necessary to make those decisions.

By rushing a functioning and important process, this bill jeopardizes the environment and public health. With a number of high-profile pipeline spills requiring costly clean-up across the country, we should not needlessly short-circuit the process that is intended to make sure pipelines are built safely. This bill would prevent federal agencies from doing their job to protect taxpayers and communities, and I urge a no vote.

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