FERC Further Abdicates Its Obligations in Favor of More Pollution

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the body tasked with regulating gas pipelines, voted to ignore the catastrophic environmental effects of gas pipelines. Last year, a court ruled FERC must fully consider the effects of a pipeline project’s greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Previously, FERC would only assess the effects of emissions from pipeline construction and operation, but not the effects of the greenhouse gases spewed by power plants or other end users at the end of the pipeline. Today’s decision was split 3-2.

This decision comes as FERC is planning to review its 1999 Pipeline Policy Statement, which serves as a guideline for how the agency decides whether to approve gas pipeline projects.

Today’s decision may be subject to court challenge.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:

"FERC is like the child who would rather stuff everything under their bed than clean their room. Unfortunately, when it comes to climate change, out of sight is not out of mind.

“The people demanded FERC do its job, and FERC refused. Then, the courts ordered FERC to do its job, but instead, it just keeps trying to evade the court’s order and shirk its responsibilities. FERC has broken the public’s trust, and we are exploring our options in response to today’s vote.

“It’s shameful that the agency charged with regulating fracked gas pipelines would rather protect the profits of polluting corporations than the air, water, and health of our communities. FERC must be fixed to fulfill its duty to serve the public’s interest rather than corporate polluters.”