[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1331-S1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1386. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 2657, to support innovation in advanced 
geothermal research and development, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of title II, add the following:

                       Subtitle D--Miscellaneous

     SEC. 24__. 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 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;

[[Page S1332]]

       (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.
                                 ______