Skip to content
CIVIC HERALD
HR 3668 · 119th Congress · HouseIn committee

Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act

Provisional: our plain-language summary, pending review.

In plain language: This bill streamlines the approval process for interstate natural gas pipelines and export facilities by making the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the sole authority over environmental reviews. It reduces the power of states and local governments to delay or block projects by eliminating their ability to deny Clean Water Act permits, leaving water rules up to federal regulators instead. The measure also sets strict deadlines requiring all related permits to be finished within 90 days of the main environmental review and allows energy companies to pay outside contractors to help process their applications.

Sponsored by

Provisionalunreviewed: impact, provisions, stakeholders, summary
People affected—not determinable from the text provided; the bill specifies procedural and jurisdictional mandates for regulatory agencies and project applicants rather than naming or enumerating an affected population.
Fiscal magnitude—not determinable from the text provided; the operative text establishes regulatory timelines and procedural requirements but authorizes no specific appropriations, fees, or funding amounts.
Reach
provisional · pending review58rigor: heuristic llm
Your matchSign in →See how this matches your values.

Issues

What this bill touches.

Pollution & development−55Federal vs. state/local+60Energy sources−35Regulation (cross-sector)−30

The sign shows the bill's direction on each issue (+ toward, − away); the number is its magnitude. Color never encodes good or bad, and never party.

Who it affects

Who it helps · who it burdens.

Provisional: our reading of who it affects, pending review.

Who it helps

  • natural gas project applicantsExempts natural gas project applicants from obtaining state Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certifications, sets a 90-day cap for other agencies to issue permits after environmental reviews, requires concurrent agency reviews, and allows applicants to submit remote survey data for conditional approvals (Sec. 2(e)(1), Sec. 2(f)(1)-(2), Sec. 2(g)(2)).provisional

Who it burdens

  • federal and state permitting agenciesMust defer to FERC's NEPA review scope, conduct reviews concurrently with FERC, determine if applications are ready within 30 days, file progress reports every 90 days, complete authorizations within 90 days of FERC's review, and accept aerial or remote survey data (Sec. 2(c), Sec. 2(f)(1)-(2), Sec. 2(g)(2)). Non-participating agencies are barred from conducting separate NEPA reviews or having their comments included in the record (Sec. 2(d)(4)).provisional
  • Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionMust identify and invite participating agencies within 30 to 60 days of application receipt, maintain an online tracking dashboard with schedules and points of contact for all required authorizations, and consult with TSA regarding pipeline physical security and cybersecurity compliance (Sec. 2(d)(1)-(3), Sec. 2(h), Sec. 2(i)).provisional
  • heads of relevant federal permitting agenciesMust notify Congress and FERC within five days if their agency or an overseen delegated state agency misses a scheduled permit deadline, including a recommended implementation plan to complete the action (Sec. 2(f)(3)).provisional

Who opposes it

  • state water pollution control agenciesEliminates their authority under Clean Water Act Section 401 to grant, condition, or deny water quality certifications for natural gas projects, demoting their role to proposing conditions that FERC may reject unless FERC finds them necessary under federal law (Sec. 2(e)(1), Sec. 2(e)(3)-(4)).provisional

Dollar-level funding (FEC sector totals) is coming in a later phase.

What it does

The provisions, in plain language.

Provisional: our reading of what the bill does, pending review.

Show all 12 provisions

  1. Designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews of natural gas import, export, and pipeline projects, and requires other federal agencies to defer to the Commission's determination of the scope of the review.

    Sec. 2(b)-(c)provisional

  2. Bars agencies that decline to participate from conducting separate environmental reviews, and prohibits the Commission from considering or including their comments in the project record.

    Sec. 2(d)(4)provisional

  3. Exempts applicants for natural gas project authorizations from the requirement to obtain a state water quality certification under Clean Water Act Section 401.

    Sec. 2(e)(1)provisional

  4. Permits affected states and interstate water agencies to propose water quality conditions to the Commission, but allows the Commission to adopt them only if it independently determines they are necessary to meet federal water pollution standards.

    Sec. 2(e)(2)-(4)provisional

  5. Caps the deadline for other federal and state agencies to issue required permits at 90 days after the Commission finishes its environmental review, unless another federal law sets the schedule.

    Sec. 2(f)(1)provisional

  6. Requires federal and state agencies to run their permit reviews concurrently with the Commission's review, notify applicants within 30 days whether their application is ready to process, and submit progress reports to the Commission every 90 days.

    Sec. 2(f)(2)provisional

  7. Requires the Commission to identify, invite, and designate relevant federal, state, local, and tribal agencies as participating agencies in natural gas project reviews within 60 days of receiving an application.

    Sec. 2(d)(1)-(3)provisional

  8. Requires federal agency heads to notify Congress and the Commission within five days if any federal or state agency misses a permit deadline, along with a plan to finish the review.

    Sec. 2(f)(3)provisional

  9. Requires permitting agencies to accept applicant survey data gathered by aerial or remote methods and allows them to issue conditional approvals based on that data pending later on-site verification.

    Sec. 2(g)(2)provisional

  10. Authorizes agencies to allow natural gas project applicants to fund third-party contractors to assist in reviewing their permit applications.

    Sec. 2(g)(3)provisional

  11. Requires the Commission to maintain a publicly accessible online dashboard tracking permit schedules, required agency actions, responsible contacts, and explanations for any delays.

    Sec. 2(h)provisional

  12. Directs the Commission to consult with the Transportation Security Administration regarding an applicant's compliance with pipeline physical security and cybersecurity standards.

    Sec. 2(i)provisional

  1. Designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews of natural gas import, export, and pipeline projects, and requires other federal agencies to defer to the Commission's determination of the scope of the review.

    Sec. 2(b)-(c)provisional

  2. Bars agencies that decline to participate from conducting separate environmental reviews, and prohibits the Commission from considering or including their comments in the project record.

    Sec. 2(d)(4)provisional

  3. Exempts applicants for natural gas project authorizations from the requirement to obtain a state water quality certification under Clean Water Act Section 401.

    Sec. 2(e)(1)provisional

  4. Permits affected states and interstate water agencies to propose water quality conditions to the Commission, but allows the Commission to adopt them only if it independently determines they are necessary to meet federal water pollution standards.

    Sec. 2(e)(2)-(4)provisional

  5. Caps the deadline for other federal and state agencies to issue required permits at 90 days after the Commission finishes its environmental review, unless another federal law sets the schedule.

    Sec. 2(f)(1)provisional

  6. Requires federal and state agencies to run their permit reviews concurrently with the Commission's review, notify applicants within 30 days whether their application is ready to process, and submit progress reports to the Commission every 90 days.

    Sec. 2(f)(2)provisional

How your members of Congress line up

Loading your members of Congress…

The record

How members voted on Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act.

Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.

  • House · Dec 12, 2025 · YEA-AND-NAY

    On Passage · Passed

    Source →

  • House · Dec 12, 2025 · YEA-AND-NAY

    On Motion to Recommit · Failed

    Source →

Timeline

How it moved.

Show all 23 actions
  1. Dec 15, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Dec 12, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Dec 12, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 184 (Roll no. 334). (text: CR H5814-5816)
  4. Dec 12, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 184 (Roll no. 334).
  5. Dec 12, 2025On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 194 - 204 (Roll no. 333).
  6. Dec 12, 2025The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
  7. Dec 12, 2025Mr. Landsman moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H5820)
  8. Dec 12, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  9. Dec 12, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3668.
  10. Dec 12, 2025Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, H.R. 3668 and S. 1071. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, and H.R. 3628 under a structured rule; and H.R. 3668 and S. 1071 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, and H.R. 3668; and one motion to commit on S. 1071.
  11. Dec 12, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 936. (consideration: CR H5814-5822)
  12. Dec 9, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 936 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, H.R. 3668 and S. 1071. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, and H.R. 3628 under a structured rule; and H.R. 3668 and S. 1071 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, and H.R. 3668; and one motion to commit on S. 1071.
  13. Nov 25, 2025Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, H. Rept. 119-297, Part II.
  14. Sep 15, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 253.
  15. Sep 15, 2025Committee on Transportation discharged.
  16. Sep 15, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-297, Part I.
  17. Jun 25, 2025Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 23.
  18. Jun 25, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  19. Jun 5, 2025Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.
  20. Jun 5, 2025Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  21. Jun 3, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
  22. Jun 2, 2025Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  23. Jun 2, 2025Introduced in House
  1. Dec 15, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Dec 12, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Dec 12, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 184 (Roll no. 334). (text: CR H5814-5816)
  4. Dec 12, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 184 (Roll no. 334).
  5. Dec 12, 2025On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 194 - 204 (Roll no. 333).
  6. Dec 9, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 936 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, H.R. 3668 and S. 1071. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, and H.R. 3628 under a structured rule; and H.R. 3668 and S. 1071 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3898, H.R. 3383, H.R. 3638, H.R. 3628, and H.R. 3668; and one motion to commit on S. 1071.
  7. Sep 15, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-297, Part I.
  8. Jun 25, 2025Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 23.
  9. Jun 2, 2025Introduced in House

The original text

Read it for yourself.

Read the original text →

Sources & provenance

Congress.govrefreshed 4 months ago

Cite this page

Civic Herald. “Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act (H.R. 3668, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-3668. Congress.gov record as of Jul 13, 2026.

Checking your session…