FERC Approves Scheduling Rule for Natural Gas Projects
FERC has finalized a rule that will coordinate federal and state authorizations needed to approve natural gas infrastructure projects, including LNG terminals. The rule, which implements provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, will require federal agencies and state agencies acting pursuant to federally delegated authority to issue final decisions within 90 days of FERC’s issuance of either an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement for a project, unless an agency’s deadline is set by other federal law. The final rule also requires FERC to maintain a consolidated record for natural gas projects for appeal purposes. FERC’s press release is here. The Final Rule can be found in the FERC e-Library in Docket No. RM06-1.