BGOV Bill Analysis: H.R. 3062, Cross-Border Energy Projects

The approval process to build oil and gas pipelines or electric transmission equipment across the US-Canada or US-Mexico borders would be overhauled under H.R. 3062, which would also curtail the president’s authority to block or cancel such projects.

Current procedures require a presidential permit to construct or operate cross-border pipelines and transmission lines. They’re typically issued by the State Department, Energy Department, or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission depending on the project type, according to a House Energy and Commerce Committee report accompanying the bill.

The bill would instead require applicants to obtain a “certificate of crossing” from the Energy ...