Twelve AGs Sent Comments to FERC in Response to Natural Gas Projects Certification

APRIL 25, 2022

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh led a coalition of 12 attorneys general in comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in response to the agency’s proposals for changes to its draft policy statements on certification of new natural gas facilities and on considering greenhouse gas emissions of natural gas infrastructure. The coalition encouraged FERC to “adopt a general presumption that additional investment in gas pipeline infrastructure is inconsistent with” state clean energy and climate goals. The AGs also urged FERC to fully consider a project’s effects, including its greenhouse gas emissions, on environmental justice communities. On the question of project need, the AGs asked FERC to consider how the project fits in with state and regional clean energy goals, as well as to adopt a rebuttable presumption that agreements to sell the gas to corporate affiliates is not enough to demonstrate that a project is needed.