North Dakota Senators Hoeven and Heitkamp are among sponsors of legislation that would streamline the permitting and approval process of natural gas gathering lines that need to cross Federal or Tribal lands. The legislation is important because it would both reduce flaring and emissions and promote the capture and use of a valuable natural resource.
Here are the details of the bill as provided in Senator Hoeven’s news release.
- Eliminate duplicative environmental reviews for natural gas gathering lines that are adjacent to or within an existing disturbed area or existing right-of-way corridor on federal land and Indian land;
- Require the Secretary of the Interior to issue rights-of-way for natural gas gathering lines on federal land within 90 days unless the Secretary finds the right-of-way would violate the Endangered Species Act or the National Historic Preservation Act; and
- Require the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with states and Indian tribes, to report annually to Congress on the progress made in expediting natural gas gathering lines on federal land and Indian land and to identify obstacles impeding that progress.
Official News Release
- Senator Hoeven’s News Release & Comments Natural Gas Gathering Bill
- Senator Heitkamp’s News Release & Comments on Natural Gas Gathering Bill
