House Democrats Consider Anti-Pipeline Regulatory Changes

摘要

Democrats in the House have introduced two bills that would negatively affect interstate pipelines. The legislative efforts align with a broader push by Democrats, including presidential candidates, to enact "green" energy policies, which will vilify natural gas, if not at least tarnish its reputation, as a climate-preferred alternative to coal and oil. One self-standing, bipartisan bill includes provisions to force pipelines to pay customers refunds more quickly for past overcharges. The second Democrat-only bill, which is the latest incarnation of a "Green New Deal," includes provisions forcing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to consider negative climate change effects when vetting an application for new pipeline construction and give more credence to landowner complaints about seizure of private property based on eminent domain. During Feb. 5 hearings, Democrats on the Energy & Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over FERC, showed interest in a number of other reform proposals, such as limiting FERC's ability to greenlight a new project based on the pipeline obtaining a precedent agreement. These are sometimes signed between buyers and sellers owned by the same corporate parent. There is no bill addressing that issue yet.