Casten, McClellan, Durbin Introduce Legislation to Mitigate Negative Impacts of Natural Gas Pipelines
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025, legislation to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to assess and mitigate the impacts that natural gas pipelines approved by FERC under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) will have on climate change and Environmental Justice communities.
“For too long, we have placed the interests of energy producers above all else in setting our energy policy, including when deciding whether to permit a new natural gas pipeline,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “It’s past time we put the national interest first. I’m proud to introduce this legislation that would require FERC to consider the potential impacts on climate change, Environmental Justice communities, energy affordability, and reliability before approving a new natural gas pipeline.”
“As we work to meet our growing energy demands with new technologies, we must consider the long-term impacts of those projects on surrounding communities and our environment,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Too often, natural gas pipelines jeopardize the health and well-being of vulnerable communities, especially low-income communities and communities of color. The FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act implements common-sense requirements to ensure FERC identifies and considers the wide-ranging potential impacts of these projects. This bill represents another important step in our efforts to improve energy affordability and advance environmental justice.”
“Across the country, we are seeing rising temperatures and more frequent natural disasters—a clear sign that we are facing a serious climate crisis. If we hope to mitigate this crisis and protect our most vulnerable communities, we must evaluate the climate impacts of new natural gas pipelines before we build them,” Sen. Durbin said. “Enacting the FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act will protect the communities most impacted by climate change and climate pollution while ensuring access to safe and affordable energy.”
In 2022, FERC, under then-Chairman Richard Glick, issued a draft Policy Statement to clarify how the Commission would take into account a natural gas pipeline’s impacts on climate change and Environmental Justice communities. The draft statement was terminated earlier this year. The FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act is intended to codify the kind of analysis called for under the draft policy statement.
In particular, the legislation would amend the NGA to require FERC to determine, among other things, whether a proposed pipeline’s impacts on climate change and Environmental Justice communities are significant, if the impacts can be mitigated, and whether the proposed pipeline would ensure energy reliability and affordability. The bill further establishes what FERC should consider when making these determinations.
For a full summary of the FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act, click HERE.
Text of the legislation can be found HERE.
“The Natural Gas Act requires FERC to consider whether a proposed interstate pipeline is both needed and in the public interest,” said Richard Glick, former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “It is essential that, when determining whether the public interest requires that the pipeline be permitted, FERC consider all potential benefits and adverse impacts. The Commission has not always fully considered these impacts in its decision making process. The FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act would ensure full examination of a proposed pipeline’s impact on climate change and on the communities that may not have the resources necessary to ensure their voices are heard in permitting proceedings. I commend Congressman Casten for his leadership in calling attention to this important matter.”
“This legislation is a critical step forward in ensuring that FERC fully accounts for and addresses greenhouse gas emissions and environmental justice impacts of energy projects under the Natural Gas Act,” said Anastasia Gordan, Federal Policy Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “The Biden Administration’s LNG study gave us a clear picture of the harms these projects impose on public health, on our climate, and on family budgets, and the courts have repeatedly called on the Commission to do the same. For decades, fossil fuel infrastructure has disproportionately burdened frontline communities, and clarifying FERC’s authority is essential to protecting all people, especially those who have borne the brunt of pollution and disinvestment. We applaud this effort to put equity, accountability, and climate responsibility at the center of energy decision-making.”
“The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must consider greenhouse gas emissions and environmental justice impacts in its decisions around energy projects,” Mahyar Sorour, Sierra Club’s Director for Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy, said. “Yet, FERC has consistently shirked its duty to assess the holistic, long-term impacts of these projects, including methane gas pipelines. This bill will make it crystal clear that FERC must take potential climate and community harms into account when making critical decisions about the nation’s energy future. Sierra Club is grateful for the leadership of Reps. Casten and McClellan on this issue."
"The FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act is an important step towards enhancing the ability of FERC to reduce the impacts of climate change and pollution,” said Byron Gudiel, Executive Director at Center for Earth Energy & Democracy (CEED). We support this effort in ensuring that no community bears a disproportionate share of the adverse environmental and public health consequences from the build-out of fossil fuel infrastructure."
“Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration have demonstrated their commitment to expediting and rubber-stamping the permitting of dirty gas infrastructure with little regard for its impacts,” said Auburn Bell, Legislative Representative, Earthjustice Action. Failure to consider these impacts will only result in dirtier water, toxic air, and more chronic health issues for those living alongside them. The FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act is a crucial step toward ensuring communities are at the center of FERC’s approval process and rightfully mandates FERC assess the cumulative impacts of gas pipeline pollution on environmental justice communities and climate change. We thank Representatives Casten, McClellan, and others for their efforts to protect people, especially those disproportionately impacted by greenhouse gas pollutants.”
Text of the legislation can be found here.
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