FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025

This bill would change how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decides whether to approve natural gas projects under the Natural Gas Act. Before approving a project, the Commission would have to determine whether its environmental effects, including effects on environmental justice communities, are significant, whether those effects outweigh the project's benefits, and whether the project is needed for energy reliability and affordability. The Commission would have to measure a project's expected greenhouse gas emissions, and a project expected to emit at least 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year would be presumed to have a significant effect on climate change. Applicants would have to submit a plan to reduce environmental effects, and the Commission would attach conditions to approvals where practicable. If the Commission approves a project without reducing significant effects below the threshold, it would have to explain why in detail.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Richard J. Durbin Democrat sponsor
• 4 cosponsors