House Bill 7878
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Scenic Trail Viewshed Protection Act
Introduced
Introduced in House on Jul 30, 2020
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
7878
Congress
116
Policy Area
Energy
Energy
Primary focus of measure is all sources and supplies of energy, including alternative energy sources, oil and gas, coal, nuclear power; efficiency and conservation; costs, prices, and revenues; electric power transmission; public utility matters.
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary
Scenic Trail Viewshed Protection Act
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a natural gas pipeline project that crosses or impacts the view from a national scenic trail under certain conditions.
Specifically, FERC may issue such certificate only if it determines that
- the pipeline is the only alternative to meet an overriding public need;
- the applicant considered alternatives in order to result in no, or minimal, adverse effect to the trail;
- minimal road construction will be required to construct and operate the pipeline;
- construction of the pipeline will use the best available technology in order to minimize the potential for leakage;
- the pipeline will intersect the trail at a point that already has significant infrastructure crossing and only crosses the trail once;
- the pipeline will not affect the viewshed of a trail in an area of high conservation, recreational, or scenic value, a protected wilderness area, an old-growth forest or alpine area, or the designated location for a shelter or campsite;
- construction techniques for the pipeline will produce a minimal disturbance to the trail and surrounding conserved lands;
- plans for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the pipeline ensure that it is done in a way that minimizes impact on the trail; and
- the applicant acknowledges that it has a duty to protect the trail and ensure the health and safety of the public who use such trail and the surrounding environment.
July 30, 2020
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07/30/2020
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
07/30/2020
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:45:46 PM