Grassroots groups turn up pressure on key Democrat to investigate FERC

摘要

A key House Democrat is getting renewed pressure from a coalition of conservation and citizens groups frustrated that Democrats, now holding the majority in the House, have not held hearings investigating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission nor pursued reforms of the Natural Gas Act. The coalition known as VOICES wrote a letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Democrat-New Jersey, and other members of the panel. The letter criticized Congress for its failure to meet earlier requests to hold hearings on what they deem to be FERC’s “abuses” of power. The groups said FERC has allowed gas infrastructure projects to move forward that have advanced climate change, failed to meet requirements of the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, contributed to explosions and leaks, and stripped people of their property rights.