S.Amdt. 3166

SA 3166. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Mr. Markey) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2012, to
provide for the modernization of the energy policy of the United
States, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table;
as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title IV, add the following:

SEC. 44__. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PERMITTING
AND REVIEW.

(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) the Federal Government plays a central role in the
review and approval of projects to

[[Page S436]]

maintain and build the energy infrastructure of the United
States, including--
(A) interstate gas pipelines;
(B) projects that cross Federal land; and
(C) projects that impact wildlife, cultural or historic
resources, or waters of the United States;
(2) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission--
(A) has jurisdiction under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act
(15 U.S.C. 717f) to regulate interstate natural gas
pipelines, including siting of the interstate natural gas
pipelines; and
(B) is required under section 15 of the Natural Gas Act (15
U.S.C. 717n), as a lead agency, to coordinate with other
Federal agencies in the environmental review and processing
of each Federal authorization relating to natural gas
infrastructure;
(3) a report of the Government Accountability Office
entitled ``Pipeline Permitting: Interstate and Intrastate
Natural Gas Permitting Processes Include Multiple Steps, and
Time Frames Vary'', and dated February 2013, reported that--
(A) public interest groups and State officials that were
interviewed believed that members of the public need more
opportunity to comment on a proposed pipeline project during
the permitting process conducted by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission; and
(B) officials from Federal and State agencies and
representatives from industry and public interest groups
reported several management practices that--
(i) could help overcome challenges;
(ii) are associated with an efficient permitting process
and obtaining public input; and
(iii) include--

(I) ensuring effective collaboration among the numerous
stakeholders involved in the permitting process; and
(II) increasing opportunities for public comment; and

(4) robust engagement by the public and stakeholders is
essential for the credibility of the siting, permitting, and
review of Federal processes by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate
that, in accordance with Executive Order 13604 (5 U.S.C. 601
note; relating to improving performance of Federal permitting
and review of infrastructure projects), the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission should prioritize meaningful public
engagement and coordination with State and local governments
to ensure that the Federal permitting and review processes of
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission--
(1) remain transparent and consistent; and
(2) ensure the health, safety, and security of the
environment and each community affected by the Federal
permitting and review processes.
______