Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) led a bipartisan letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) encouraging the agency to make a bipartisan decision to update its natural gas pipeline review process, in order to ensure stability in building out our country’s energy infrastructure.  Updates to the natural gas pipeline review process would allow for a more seamless process of natural gas pipeline applications, helping grow and strengthen the midstream energy sector while ensuring energy independence and security.

Updates to the review process by Democratic commissioners in February 2022 were well-intentioned, adding in further environmental impact considerations when approving pipeline applications.  However, the updates were unclear and created feasibility issues, leading to a significant backlog in applications.  Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Burgess are encouraging commissioners to come to a bipartisan agreement on a new review process that balances the needs of both energy infrastructure deployment and environmental concerns.

“Natural gas is key to ensuring that the American public has access to reliable and affordable energy.  Ensuring the availability of that resource requires a FERC natural gas certificate review process that is clear, consistent, and timely,” the members said.  “The Commission issued a notice of inquiry (NOI) to consider revisions to its 1999 natural gas certificate policy statement in April 2018 and reopened that review in February of 2021. We appreciate the Commission’s efforts to review the 1999 natural gas certificate policy statement, however, the two new policy statements issued on February 18, 2022, only added significant uncertainty to the durability of FERC’s certificate policy review framework.

“FERC must advance essential natural gas projects to meet energy affordability, reliability, and climate needs.  We urge you and your colleagues on the Commission in your work to update the 1999 gas certificate policy, to reach a unanimous, bipartisan decision which will provide a stable, thoughtful, and long-lasting basis to build out our nation’s essential energy infrastructure.”

As a representative of the energy capital of the world, Congresswoman Fletcher has led efforts in Congress to ensure the American public has access to reliable and affordable energy.  Her efforts include introducing legislation to modernize pipeline infrastructure and safety regulations that  was signed into law in December 2020. 

To view the full text of the letter, click here.