Urge Congress to enact reform legislation to: (1) mandate short time limits for judicial challenges to energy infrastructure permits; (2) limit eligibility for permit challenges to individuals with a direct tangible interest in the project; and (3) limit judicial venues to jurisdictions where the projects are physically located.
Project after desperately need project have been stopped by opponents gaming the judicial system to challenge construction permits being applied for or already issued. Judicial reform is essential to enable projects to proceed that will increase energy affordability, reliability and security.
Issuance of pipeline construction permits should be routine and expeditious. In many highly populated areas of the country, consumers and businesses alike suffer high and volatile energy costs during peak demand periods. This is not due to lack of energy supplies. It is because there is insufficient pipeline capacity to deliver those supplies to areas of greatest need. A major cause is delay in permitting new pipeline construction.
