110 HR 6720 IH: Natural Gas Strategy U.S. House of Representatives 2008-07-31 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6720 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 31, 2008 Mr. Bishop of New York (for himself, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Hare, Mr. Hill, Mr. Israel, Mr. Murphy of Connecticut, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Ruppersberger, Mr. Baird, Mr. Inslee, and Mr. Frank of Massachusetts) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To establish the Commission on Comprehensive Strategies for the Placement of Natural Gas Infrastructure, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Natural Gas Strategy Act.

2.

Purpose and goals

It is the purpose of this Act to facilitate the achievement of the following Congressional goals: (1)Conducting a study relating to natural gas infrastructure, including natural gas pipelines and natural gas storage infrastructure, and liquefied natural gas infrastructure in the United States, which shall include an examination of roles, authorities, and methods of assessing risks and benefits employed by United States Government agencies that regulate natural gas infrastructure sitings, taking into account considerations that are beyond the regulatory scope of the current siting agencies and an examination of the extent that reviews of proposed natural gas infrastructure projects by United States Government agencies are conducted in a complementary and effectively coordinated manner. (2)Identifying factors that are in the public interest that natural gas infrastructure developers may not take into account in proposing specific projects, and that may not be adequately assessed by United States Government agencies reviewing natural gas infrastructure development proposals due to a lack of technical expertise or oversight authority, including— (A)regional environmental impacts; (B)relationship of proposed natural gas infrastructure developments to United States policies to address climate change; (C)relationship of proposed natural gas infrastructure developments with other national infrastructure development priorities, especially in the electric power sector; and (D)relationship of proposed natural gas infrastructure developments with national safety and security priorities. (3)Examining— (A)Federal, State, and local expenditures for water-side and land-based security for natural gas infrastructure protection, including the extent of such expenditures relative to the protection of other critical infrastructure (such as chemical facilities and chemical tankers); and (B)the ability of existing and traditional security missions of agencies involved, including the United States Coast Guard and State and local law enforcement agencies, to ensure adequate security and safety of liquefied natural gas operations. (4)Understanding— (A)the linkages among natural gas supplies, carbon dioxide emissions, electricity supply, and electricity reliability, including the extent that United States carbon dioxide policies will influence the existing and anticipated demand for natural gas; and (B)the national and regional requirements for natural gas supply infrastructure in light of other Federal policies related to carbon dioxide control, electricity reliability, and development of domestic natural gas resources. (5)Identifying criteria for the selection of appropriate natural gas infrastructure facility locations that will meet national energy policy goals, ensure adequate natural gas supplies, can be adequately secured given existing constraints on water-side and land-based security measures, and are environmentally sound.

3.

Commission

(a)

Establishment

There is established the Commission on Comprehensive Strategies for the Placement of Natural Gas Infrastructure (in this Act referred to as the Commission). (b)

Purpose

The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive review of United States natural gas policy for the following purposes: (1)

Review

Reviewing relevant analyses of the current and long-term natural gas policy and conditions in the United States. (2)

Identifying problems

Identifying problems that may threaten the security of natural gas infrastructure, assessing regional versus national economic impacts of natural gas infrastructure placement, and ensuring the protection of the environment. (3)

Analyzing potential solutions

Analyzing potential solutions to problems that threaten the security of natural gas infrastructure, regional economic security, and protection of the environment. (4)

Providing recommendations

Providing recommendations that will ensure that the United States natural gas policy goals, including the goals described in section 2, are met. (c)

Report and Recommendations

(1)

In general

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall transmit to Congress a report on the progress of United States natural gas policy toward meeting its long-term goals of natural gas infrastructure, including a detailed statement of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission. (2)

Legislative language

If a recommendation submitted under paragraph (1) involves legislative action, the report shall include proposed legislative language to carry out such action. (d)

Membership

The Commission shall be composed of 20 members of whom— (1)2 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Maritime Administration; (2)2 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the United States Coast Guard; (3)2 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Energy, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; (4)2 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (5)6 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives— (A)3 of whom shall be appointed in consultation with the majority leader; and (B)3 of whom shall be appointed in consultation with the minority leader; and (6)6 members shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate— (A)3 of whom shall be appointed in consultation with the majority leader of the Senate; and (B)3 of whom shall be appointed in consultation with the minority leader of the Senate. (e)

Chairperson

The members of the Commission shall designate a Chairperson from among its members. (f)

Date

Members of the Commission shall be appointed by not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (g)

Period of Appointment

Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (h)

Staff

(1)

Director

The Commission shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director. (2)

Staff appointment

The Executive Director may appoint such personnel as the Executive Director and the Commission determine to be appropriate. (3)

Experts and consultants

With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (4)

Federal agencies

(A)

Detail of government employees

Upon the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the Commission. Any such detail shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee. (B)

Technical assistance

Upon the request of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency shall provide such technical assistance to the Commission as the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out its duties. (5)

Resources

The Commission shall have reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data, and other information the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out its duties from all relevant Federal agencies. The Chairperson shall make requests for such access in writing when necessary.