JOAN Act

This bill changes how federal and state agencies review applications for natural gas facilities and pipelines under the Natural Gas Act. It makes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the only lead agency for environmental review, requires other agencies to follow its scope and schedules, and removes the requirement that applicants get a state water quality certification under the Clean Water Act, letting states propose conditions instead. It limits court challenges to a single case filed in a federal appeals court within 60 days, bars later challenges by anyone other than the project sponsor, and treats the project as approved if the court does not decide within 180 days. It also limits the court orders judges can issue, including capping injunctions at 60 days and barring remand with vacatur.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Tom Cotton Republican sponsor
• 0 cosponsors