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FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-3324| Senate 
| Updated: 12/3/2025
Richard J. Durbin

Richard J. Durbin

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (4)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to strengthen the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) review process for natural gas projects. It mandates FERC to assess and mitigate the environmental effects of proposed actions, specifically focusing on impacts to climate change and environmental justice communities , when determining "public convenience and necessity." Project applicants are now required to submit a detailed mitigation proposal outlining how they will address these potential adverse effects. To determine significant environmental effects, FERC must evaluate impacts on environmental justice communities, considering existing and cumulative stressors, and quantify reasonably foreseeable greenhouse gas emissions . The bill establishes a presumption that projects emitting at least 100,000 metric tons per year of carbon dioxide equivalent have a significant effect on climate change. Furthermore, FERC must ensure that no community bears a disproportionate share of adverse environmental consequences and, where appropriate, limit the placement of projects in environmental justice communities. When weighing environmental effects against project benefits, FERC must consider the practicability of mitigation. If FERC approves a project despite significant unmitigated environmental effects, it must provide a detailed explanation for its decision. The bill defines an environmental justice community as a population of color, indigenous, or low-income community experiencing a disproportionate burden of negative health and environmental impacts.
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Timeline
Dec 3, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6378
Introduced in House
Dec 3, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 3, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  • December 3, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6378
    Introduced in House


  • December 3, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 3, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6378: FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025

FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-3324| Senate 
| Updated: 12/3/2025
This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to strengthen the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) review process for natural gas projects. It mandates FERC to assess and mitigate the environmental effects of proposed actions, specifically focusing on impacts to climate change and environmental justice communities , when determining "public convenience and necessity." Project applicants are now required to submit a detailed mitigation proposal outlining how they will address these potential adverse effects. To determine significant environmental effects, FERC must evaluate impacts on environmental justice communities, considering existing and cumulative stressors, and quantify reasonably foreseeable greenhouse gas emissions . The bill establishes a presumption that projects emitting at least 100,000 metric tons per year of carbon dioxide equivalent have a significant effect on climate change. Furthermore, FERC must ensure that no community bears a disproportionate share of adverse environmental consequences and, where appropriate, limit the placement of projects in environmental justice communities. When weighing environmental effects against project benefits, FERC must consider the practicability of mitigation. If FERC approves a project despite significant unmitigated environmental effects, it must provide a detailed explanation for its decision. The bill defines an environmental justice community as a population of color, indigenous, or low-income community experiencing a disproportionate burden of negative health and environmental impacts.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 3, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6378
Introduced in House
Dec 3, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 3, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  • December 3, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6378
    Introduced in House


  • December 3, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 3, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Richard J. Durbin

Richard J. Durbin

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (4)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6378: FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted