WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) today introduced H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, a bipartisan bill to modernize the federal review process for natural gas pipeline permit applications.
America’s newfound natural gas abundance is good news for consumers and businesses but presents many challenges as gas gains a greater market share of the nation’s electricity portfolio. Several regions of the country are facing a shortage of pipeline capacity to support this increased gas-electric generation. Additionally, the incredible growth in natural gas production is occurring across several locations that lack the proper pipeline infrastructure to keep pace with the increased production. The current regulatory process continues to delay the construction of this critical infrastructure. Rep. Pompeo’s legislation seeks to facilitate the construction of new natural gas pipeline projects by streamlining the permitting process and expediting approvals.
“This bipartisan piece of legislation makes common sense reforms to the natural gas pipeline permitting process," said Pompeo. “We’re looking forward, modernizing how we approve natural gas pipelines as natural gas becomes more prevalent as a source of electricity generation. Consumers must have affordable and reliable energy choices."
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) lent their support to the legislation.
“Our nation’s energy landscape has been dramatically transformed over the last decade, but our infrastructure still lags behind. To take full advantage of our abundant natural gas supplies, we need a new, modern pipeline system," said Upton and Whitfield. “Rep. Pompeo’s legislation will allow new pipeline projects to come online safely and efficiently to help meet the nation’s needs for affordable and reliable electricity and help create jobs."
