FERC Unveils Proposal to Overhaul NEPA to Accelerate Natural Gas Projects
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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) unveiled a proposal to overhaul and accelerate its review of air quality effects for proposed natural gas projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The draft policy statement cuts unnecessary delays and duplicative analysis, while delivering greater regulatory certainty and a more streamlined path forward for project applicants.
“From my first day as chairman, streamlining NEPA reviews has been one of my top priorities. Today’s landmark draft policy statement is a defining step in our mission to cut unnecessary delays and deliver regulatory certainty,” said Chairman Laura Swett.
“My legacy will not be cowering timidity. It will be surgical, strategic, aggressive reform that propels the country and our next generations into energy security and prosperity,” added Swett.
The draft policy statement proposes to no longer request air dispersion modeling from applicants for Natural Gas Act (NGA) projects or rely on this modeling in assessing operational air quality effects under NEPA.
This proposal recognizes the extensive protections and mitigation requirements built into the Clean Air Act’s exacting regulations, which reflect the expertise and scientific judgment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies — the expert administrative bodies Congress actually charged with safeguarding the nation’s air quality.
In light of this pervasive regulatory regime, the Commission proposes to use other information submitted by applicants, and identified by Commission staff, to analyze the air quality effects of proposed projects. The Commission will continue to thoroughly address air quality effects in its NEPA documents to disclose any adverse environmental effects, but in a more streamlined way.
Consistent with Supreme Court guidance and aligned Congressional mandates, the draft policy statement proposes to more closely align the Commission’s NEPA analysis with its statutory roles. It also proposes to end unnecessary overlap with the permitting responsibilities entrusted to air regulatory agencies under the Clean Air Act.
Interested parties may submit comments on the implementation of the draft policy statement by November 16, 2026.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is an independent agency of the United States government that regulates the interstate transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas and regulates the prices of interstate transport of petroleum by pipeline.
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