Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today commending the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) issuance of policies to incorporate climate change, landowner protections, and environmental justice considerations in the natural gas certification process:
“I applaud FERC for taking these necessary and long-overdue actions to ensure that climate change and environmental justice are core considerations of its natural gas infrastructure certification process. The courts have repeatedly instructed FERC to take greenhouse gas pollution into account when deciding whether new gas infrastructure is in the public interest. FERC’s approach is consistent with those court directives, the plain text of the law, and the overwhelming scientific consensus that we must act quickly to address the climate crisis. Today’s decisions are significant steps towards tackling one of the defining challenges of our lifetime.
“What’s more, I am encouraged that today’s orders are responsive to the concerns of American landowners and environmental justice communities, who for far too long have been bulldozed by pipeline companies without adequate due process of law. Today’s decisions are a significant step towards protecting the property rights of private landowners and ensure that environmental justice communities are treated fairly and equitably in the pipeline certification process. My colleagues and I have been leading the charge to protect Americans from abusive pipeline practices, and I am grateful that FERC’s orders today vindicate our efforts.”
