Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (January 21, 2015) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 161, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act with a bipartisan vote of 253-169. This bill would expedite the approval of much needed energy infrastructure projects across the country. Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large), Western Caucus member and bill sponsor Mike Pompeo (KS-04), and Chairman Emeritus Steve Pearce (NM-02) released the following statements in response to the passage of the bill:

“While the natural gas boom is a success story, it must be accompanied by more efficient pipeline permitting processes to support the increased production and ensure reliable and affordable electricity for Americans,” said Chairman Lummis.  “This bill retains a careful process to permit these pipelines, but we need to stop the stonewalling that we have seen on the part of this Administration.  I thank Congressman Pompeo for championing this legislation and I look forward to continuing the fight for a more streamlined pipeline approval process.”

“I am proud to introduce legislation to reform natural gas pipeline permitting,” said Congressman Pompeo. “It is critical that the process for reviewing natural gas pipelines is modernized, especially as natural gas becomes more prevalent as a source of electricity generation.  Consumers must have affordable and reliable electricity choices.  Ongoing delays because of a complex permitting process must not prohibit families in Kansas, and across the country, from obtaining reliable and economical heating for their homes in the winter and cooling them in the summer.”

“The recent natural gas boom has created thousands of American jobs, lowered gasoline prices, and reduced electric rates for American families,” said Chairman Emeritus Pearce. “Despite these advances, there is still work that needs to be done. This bill will ensure that America’s natural gas infrastructure keeps up with production, which will allow the boom to reach all areas of the Country. By developing necessary infrastructure we can prevent sharp increases in electric rates during winter and summer months when demand peaks. In the President’s State of the Union Address he expressed a willingness to work with Congress to update America’s infrastructure. I call on him to fulfill his promise by signing this important piece of legislation.”