Top U.S. senators from both parties on Thursday will grill Democratic energy regulators who recently approved guidelines for approving new natural gas projects that allow consideration of environmental justice, landowner and climate issues.
The three Democrats on the five-member Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted in February to approve the guidelines that analysts say could present hurdles for new gas projects. The two Republicans on the panel opposed the guidelines.
"FERC is overstepping its oversight authority on nat gas pipelines & tying our hands behind our back at a critical moment," Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from natural gas producing West Virginia, said in a Twitter post. Manchin heads the Senate Energy Committee, at which all five FERC members are expected to appear during the hearing.
RELATED:
FERC’s Climate Policy on Natgas Infrastructure Triggers Anger, Confusion
Senator John Barrasso, the top Republican on the committee, has said FERC's ruling was "just the latest attack in (President Joe) Biden's war on American energy."
Biden only nominated one of the current members of FERC, Willie Phillips, a fellow Democrat, and a former chair of Washington, D.C.'s utility commission.
Criticisms from oil, gas and coal interests and lawmakers from fossil fuel producing states about Democratic policies on climate and pipelines have increased as Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens to cut exports of oil and gas to the world. Russia produces about 10% of the world's crude oil.
An interim guideline FERC approved on Feb. 17 requires environmental impact statements on natural gas projects that emit above 100,000 metric tons per year of greenhouse gases, a process that opponents say can be lengthy and unwieldy.
Richard Glick, a Democrat and the head of FERC, said after the approvals that the guidelines would improve the "legal durability" of the panel's decisions on natural gas projects by ensuring they reflect all stakeholder concerns.
Recommended Reading
Mike Howard Joins Atlas Energy Solutions’ Board
2024-02-15 - Mike Howard brings more than 28 years of midstream energy experience to Atlas Energy Solutions’ board of directors.
BP Pursues ‘25-by-‘25’ Target to Amp Up LNG Production
2024-02-15 - BP wants to boost its LNG portfolio to 25 mtpa by 2025 under a plan dubbed “25-by-25,” upping its portfolio by 9% compared to 2023, CEO Murray Auchincloss said during the company’s webcast with analysts.
Green Swan Seeks US Financing for Global Decarbonization Projects
2024-02-21 - Green Swan, an investment platform seeking to provide capital to countries signed on to the Paris Agreement, is courting U.S. investors to fund decarbonization projects in countries including Iran and Venezuela, its executives told Hart Energy.
Sunoco’s $7B Acquisition of NuStar Evades Further FTC Scrutiny
2024-04-09 - The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act for Sunoco’s pending acquisition of NuStar Energy has expired, bringing the deal one step closer to completion.
Kissler: OPEC+ Likely to Buoy Crude Prices—At Least Somewhat
2024-03-18 - By keeping its voluntary production cuts, OPEC+ is sending a clear signal that oil prices need to be sustainable for both producers and consumers.