FERC proposes faster permitting path for gas, LNG projects — SkimNews
Get the Energy newsletter
Daily energy & climate — solar, EVs, oil, the policy fights and tech bets shaping the transition. Free.
- FERC on Thursday issued proposals to streamline development of gas pipelines and LNG export projects, with Chairman Laura Swett citing the need to supply gas-fired power plants and address "infrastructure bottlenecks."
- FERC voted 4-1 to propose dropping air dispersion modeling from its NEPA reviews of gas projects; Swett called the models "an unnecessary source of confusion, delay and litigation risk" exploited by "infrastructure opponents and lawyers."
- Commissioner Judy Chang was the lone dissenter, arguing air dispersion models are "the best tool we have" for understanding local and regional air impacts of permitted projects.
- FERC proposed a three-tiered blanket authorization framework for LNG projects, with some activities able to proceed automatically and others requiring 60- or 90-day notice and comment periods.
- Commissioner David Rosner flagged transmission bottlenecks including a $3.2 billion network upgrade finding in ISO New England, a $1.3 billion cost that killed a proposed PJM gas plant, and only 400 miles of 345-kV-and-above interstate transmission built last year, down from 4,000 miles in 2013.
- FERC commissioners endorsed the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, which would require nine FERC rulemakings and overhaul permitting under NEPA and the Clean Water Act; proponents aim to pass it during the lame-duck session after the midterms.
Why it matters: Gas-fired generation is racing to serve surging load growth, but interconnection costs are already killing projects — Rosner cited a PJM gas plant scrapped over $1.3 billion in network upgrades and only 400 miles of high-voltage transmission built last year versus 4,000 in 2013, alongside $12 billion in 2024 grid congestion costs. FERC's move to drop air dispersion modeling and the Senate's pending nine-rulemaking bill together target the exact permitting and review bottlenecks slowing both gas build-out and the wires needed to connect it.
Ask SkimNews
