Coalition tells federal regulators that updating the blanket certificate program will help get West Virginia gas to market, protect consumers, and keep environmental safeguards in place
Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of 26 states backing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Proposed Rule that would revise the Blanket Certificate Program (Docket No. RM25-12-001) which would get West Virginia natural gas to market sooner and would safeguard prices for consumers.
“Updating the pipeline rules is good for West Virginia jobs, energy prices and economic growth. This Proposed Rule would benefit everyone, including gas producers who will be able to avoid red tape and consumers who will have greater access to affordable energy when they need it most. Beyond that, our state’s 70,000+ natural gas jobs would be protected, and we could possibly build on that. This is a win-win for everybody and it’s just common sense to cut out bureaucracy to make this process more efficient,” Attorney General McCuksey said.
The Blanket Certificate Program was created in 1982 and was intended to streamline authorization for a class of routine activities. The Proposed Rule would raise the dollar limits for fast-track projects to $30 million to account for increased costs, making it easier for interstate natural gas pipeline companies to modify and maintain facilities without a months-long project-by-project federal review.
The states argue that more pipeline capacity helps hold down gas and electricity prices nationwide. The coalition asserts that residents still have notice and protest rights; a serious protest will trigger a full review.
The Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act will still apply. In West Virginia, water and air permits will still be required.
The attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming joined West Virginia’s comment letter to FERC, which can be found here.
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