Legislation aimed at reducing long wait times for federal approval of energy infrastructure projects, including liquid natural gas projects, has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate.
The Timely Review of Infrastructure At, S. 607, is sponsored by Republican Senators Bill Cassidy, of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, and Cory Gardner, of Colorado. The senators note that a shortage of highly specialized engineers, scientists and mathematicians tasked with reviewing construction applications at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has created a backlog of projects seeking approval. The bill would improve the FERC’s ability to hire qualified staff needed to process project applications in a timely, efficient manner, the senators said.
FERC currently has 13 pending applications for new LNG expert facilities and four projects in the pre-filing process, including one from Alaska.
