This bill changes how the federal government decides whether an import or export of natural gas is in the public interest. It amends section 3 of the Natural Gas Act to add specific public interest criteria. The bill defines "country of concern" (lists Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and others the Secretary of Energy may add after notice and comment). It defines scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. The Federal Commission must consider the public interest broadly, including environmental impacts and affordability. The bill says three types of outcomes are not consistent with the public interest: increases in U.S. natural gas prices for households or industries; increases in greenhouse gas emissions (including scope 1, 2, and 3); and supplying energy to a country of concern. The Commission must issue regulations within 30 days after enactment that set the procedures and criteria for these reviews and the consideration of scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The bill also contains a savings clause saying it is not intended as a statement about agency authority and does not preclude the Secretary of Energy or the Commission from making determinations about exports under existing law. The text includes a number of conforming wording changes to other parts of section 3, including provisions labeled for LNG terminals and military installations.
If this bill becomes law, applications to import or export natural gas would be reviewed under new, specific rules. Reviewers would have to weigh how a proposed export or import would affect U.S. gas prices, the project’s greenhouse gas emissions across scope 1, 2, and 3, and whether the gas would help supply a listed "country of concern." That could affect whether some export or import projects are approved and could lead to new regulatory procedures for companies that build or operate natural gas facilities.
No publicly available information.
The bill requires decisionmakers to consider environmental impacts and affordability when reviewing natural gas imports and exports. It lists outcomes that are not consistent with the public interest—higher domestic prices, higher greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1–3), and supplying energy to countries of concern—and it directs the Commission to adopt rules quickly to apply these criteria.
No publicly available information.