FERC Moves to Fast-Track LNG Approvals and Drop Air Quality Modeling for Methane Projects

If Implemented, Methane Gas Projects Could be Approved Without Proper Review of Harmful Impacts

Washington, DC — Today, at its monthly meeting, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposed two new measures to speed up approval of methane gas projects without the proper review or oversight.

FERC opened a rulemaking to establish a blanket certificate program for liquefied methane gas, or LNG, facilities. This program could allow projects that meet certain minimal criteria to receive automatic or expedited approval without full environmental review or other appropriate oversight.

The Commission also announced a draft policy statement to no longer require developers of methane gas projects to submit air dispersion modeling, which is critical to understanding a proposed project’s local and regional air quality impacts as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

In reaction, Sierra Club Associate Legislative & Advocacy Director of Beyond Dirty Fuels Claire Dorner released the following statement

“It is unconscionable for FERC to further fast-track harmful LNG development and also cut requirements for gas developers to submit modeling to understand the local air quality impacts of methane gas projects. Direct air pollution from operating LNG terminals in the US is already estimated to cost almost $1 billion in total health costs per year and lead to dozens of premature deaths. Eroding these guardrails will make our historically high energy prices even worse, increase harm to local ecosystems and communities, and exacerbate the climate crisis. FERC cannot abdicate its responsibility to comprehensively review these types of projects that have a legacy of polluting our communities and the environment. The only beneficiaries of this plan are fossil fuel companies.”