Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act

Key Provisions

• Makes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the only lead agency for environmental reviews of natural gas pipeline projects.
• Removes the requirement for natural gas pipeline applicants to get a water quality certification from states under the Clean Water Act.
• Requires other federal and state agencies to largely defer to FERC's environmental review for pipeline projects.
• Sets strict deadlines for federal and state agencies to participate in and complete their parts of the pipeline approval process.
• Limits the ability of agencies not officially participating to conduct their own environmental reviews or submit comments.
• Requires federal agencies to notify Congress and FERC within 5 days if they miss a deadline for a pipeline authorization.