API files motion for rehearing on FERC policy statements

The American Petroleum Institute (API) filed a motion for rehearing on FERC’s revised Updated Certificate Policy Statement and Interim GHG Policy Statement, noting that FERC failed to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to respond to the specific proposals.

API also expressed concern that increased delays in the permitting process for natural gas and LNG infrastructure will make it harder to deliver and export affordable, reliable energy at a time of rising energy costs and geopolitical turmoil. 

“While we’ve made progress as the Department of Energy advanced two important U.S. LNG permits this week, a transparent and consistent permitting process is critical to ensure American producers can supply the affordable, cleaner energy the world needs now and in the future,” API Vice President of Midstream Policy Robin Rorick said. “Unfortunately, FERC’s proposed policy changes are the exact opposite of what policymakers should be focused on and only add more uncertainty into the permitting process at a time when natural gas and LNG infrastructure development is needed more than ever. We are concerned FERC’s revised policy statements didn’t go through a transparent process, and we urge the Commission to accept this motion for a rehearing to provide the industry and other stakeholders the opportunity to raise their concerns and outline the real-world impact of these policy changes during an established comment period.” 

Because the revised policy statements didn’t go through the established review process, companies were unable to raise their concerns that FERC’s actions would insert more uncertainty into the permitting process. FERC’s conditional language and decision to review permits on a case-by-case basis doesn’t offer a clear path to success and will only add more delays to vital pipeline and other energy infrastructure needed to deliver and export natural gas, which is the leading reason the U.S. has reduced emissions to generational lows.