Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act
Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act
Plain Language Summary
# Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act - Summary **What It Does:** This bill creates a new streamlined approval process for energy projects that cross the U.S. border with Canada or Mexico. Instead of the current system based on executive orders, companies would need to obtain a "certificate of crossing" from federal agencies before building or operating pipelines, power lines, or other energy infrastructure that imports/exports oil, natural gas, or electricity across the border.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) would handle oil and gas pipelines, while the Department of Energy (DOE) would oversee electric transmission lines. **Who It Affects:** Energy companies planning cross-border projects, the federal agencies that approve them (FERC and DOE), and potentially consumers and communities near the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders. The bill could impact energy trade relationships with Canada and Mexico. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives. It would need Senate approval and the President's signature to become law.
CRS Official Summary
Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure ActThis bill establishes a new process for approving or revoking permits for the construction and operation of energy infrastructure across an international border of the United States. Thus, it replaces the existing process established under specified executive orders.The bill requires a person to obtain a certificate of crossing before constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining a border-crossing facility for the import or export of oil or natural gas, or the transmission of electricity, across a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico. A certificate must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a facility consisting of oil or natural gas pipelines or the Department of Energy (DOE) for an electric transmission facility. As a condition of issuing a certificate, DOE must require that an electric transmission facility be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with specified policies and standards.FERC and DOE must meet a deadline for issuing a certificate as set forth by this bill. The bill also requires FERC to meet a deadline for approving applications to import or export natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico.The bill also requires the President to obtain the approval of Congress before revoking a permit issued under executive orders for constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining an oil or natural gas pipeline, an electric transmission facility, or a related border-crossing facility.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.