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H.R. 161: Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act

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H.R. 161: Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act

114th Congress · introduced 2015-01-06 · Energy · Latest: Received in the Senate.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2015-01-06 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Pompeo, Mike [R-KS-4] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 40 (2015): On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, HR161 (2015-01-21), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act Amends the Natural Gas Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve or deny a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a prefiled project within 12 months after receiving a complete application that is ready to be processed. Defines "prefiled project" as a project for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a natural gas pipeline with respect to which a prefiling docket number has been assigned by FERC pursuant to a prefiling process established by FERC for the purpose of facilitating the formal application process for obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Requires the agency responsible for issuing any federal license, permit, or approval regarding the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a project for which a certificate is sought to approve or deny issuance of the certificate within 90 days after FERC issues its final environmental document regarding the project. Requires FERC to grant an agency request for a 30-day extension of the 90-day time period if the agency demonstrates that it cannot otherwise complete the process required to approve or deny the license, permit, or approval, and therefore will be compelled to deny it. Authorizes FERC, in granting such an extension, to offer technical assistance to the agency in order to address conditions preventing completion of the application review. Declares that, if the agency fails to approve or deny issuance of a permit, license, or approval within the prescribed time-frame, the license, permit, or approval shall take effect upon expiration of 30 days after the period's end. Directs FERC to incorporate into the terms of a license, permit, or approval any conditions proffered by the agency that FERC does not find to be inconsistent with the final environmental document.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Pompeo, Mike [R-KS-4] · 33 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Pete Sessions (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John R. Carter (R-TX), Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (R-TN), Ryan K. Zinke (R-MT), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), Roger Williams (R-TX), Robert E. Latta (R-OH)

Recorded votes

Sources

Record fed-us-cong114-hr161 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong114 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong114