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15 U.S.C. § 720b — Environmental reviews

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

15 U.S.C. § 720b — Environmental reviews

**(a) Compliance with NEPA** The issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the construction and operation of any Alaska natural gas transportation project under [section 720a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section720a&num=0&edition=prelim) shall be treated as a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section4332/2/C&num=0&edition=prelim)). **(b) Designation of lead agency** (1) **In general** — The Commission— (A) shall be the lead agency for purposes of complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([42 U.S.C. 4321](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section4321&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.); and (B) shall be responsible for preparing the environmental impact statement required by section 102(2)(c) 11 So in original. Probably should be section “102(2)(C)”. of that Act [[42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section4332/2/C&num=0&edition=prelim)] with respect to an Alaska natural gas transportation project under [section 720a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section720a&num=0&edition=prelim). (2) **Consolidation of statements** — In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall prepare a single environmental impact statement, which shall consolidate the environmental reviews of all Federal agencies considering any aspect of the Alaska natural gas transportation project covered by the environmental impact

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Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_e22109816be7bb700ea6b938
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-15/section-720b-environmental-reviews--18f66cb639.md
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Source location: Title 15, Chapter 15D, § 720b; chapter-15d-alaska-natural-gas-pipeline.md

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**(a) Compliance with NEPA** The issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the construction and operation of any Alaska natural gas transportation project under [section 720a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section720a&num=0&edition=prelim) shall be treated as a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section4332/2/C&num=0&edition=prelim)). **(b) Designation of lead agency** (1) **In general** — The Commission— (A) shall be the lead agency for purposes of complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([42 U.S.C. 4321](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section4321&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.); and (B) shall be responsible for preparing the environmental impact statement required by section 102(2)(c) 11 So in original. Probably should be section “102(2)(C)”. of that Act [[42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section4332/2/C&num=0&edition=prelim)] with respect to an Alaska natural gas transportation project under [section 720a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section720a&num=0&edition=prelim). (2) **Consolidation of statements** — In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall prepare a single environmental impact statement, which shall consolidate the environmental reviews of all Federal agencies considering any aspect of the Alaska natural gas transportation project covered by the environmental impact statement. **(c) Other agencies** (1) **In general** — Each Federal agency considering an aspect of the construction and operation of an Alaska natural gas transportation project under [section 720a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section720a&num=0&edition=prelim) shall— (A) cooperate with the Commission; and (B) comply with deadlines established by the Commission in the preparation of the environmental impact statement under this section. (2) **Satisfaction of NEPA requirements** — The environmental impact statement prepared under this section shall be adopted by each Federal agency described in paragraph (1) in satisfaction of the responsibilities of the Federal agency under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section4332/2/C&num=0&edition=prelim)) with respect to the Alaska natural gas transportation project covered by the environmental impact statement. **(d) Expedited process** The Commission shall— (1) not later than 1 year after the Commission determines that the application under [section 720a of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section720a&num=0&edition=prelim) with respect to an Alaska natural gas transportation project is complete, issue a draft environmental impact statement under this section; and (2) not later than 180 days after the date of issuance of the draft environmental impact statement, issue a final environmental impact statement, unless the Commission for good cause determines that additional time is needed.

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

42 U.S.C. § 4321 — Repealed. Pub. L. 117–58, div. G, title VIII, § 70801(h), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1294

### Statutory Notes Section, Pub. L. 114–94, div. D, title XLI, § 41013, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1761, provided that this subchapter shall terminate 7 years after Dec. 4, 2015.

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

15 U.S.C. § 720a — Issuance of certificate of public convenience and necessity

**(a) Authority of the Commission** Notwithstanding the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1976 ([15 U.S.C. 719](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section719&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.), the Commission may, in accordance with section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act ([15 U.S.C. 717f(c)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section717f/c&num=0&edition=prelim)), consider and act on an application for the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the construction and operation of an Alaska natural gas transportation project other than the Alaska natural gas transportation system. **(b) Issuance of certificate** (1) **In general** — The Commission shall issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the construction and operation of an Alaska natural gas transportation project under this section if the applicant has satisfied the requirements of section 7(e) of the Natural Gas Act ([15 U.S.C. 717f(e)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section717f/e&num=0&edition=prelim)). (2) **Considerations** — In considering an application under this section, the Commission shall presume that— (A) a public need exists to construct and operate the proposed Alaska natural gas transportation project; and (B) sufficient downstream capacity will exist to transport the Alaska natural gas moving through the project to markets in the contiguous United States. **(c) Expedited approval process** Not later than 60 days after the date of issuance of the final environmental impact statement under [section 720b of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section720b&num=0&edition=prelim) for an A

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 15 U.S.C. § 720a

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

15 U.S.C. § 720b — Environmental reviews

Page 1222 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 720b section if the applicant has satisfied the re- quirements of section 7(e) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717f(e)). (2) Considerations In considering an application under this sec- tion, the Commission shall presume that— (A) a public need exists to construct and operate the proposed Alaska natural gas transportation project; and (B) sufficient downstream capacity will exist to transport the Alaska natural gas moving through the project to markets in the contiguous United States. (c) Expedited approval process Not later than 60 days after the date of issuance of the final environmental impact statement under section 720b of this title for an Alaska natural gas transportation project, the Commission shall issue a final order granting or denying any application for a certificate of pub- lic convenience and necessity for the project under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717f(c)) and this section. (d) Prohibition of certain pipeline route No license, permit, lease, right-of-way, author- ization, or other approval required under Fed- eral law for the construction of any pipeline to transport natural gas from land within the Prudhoe Bay oil and gas lease area may be granted for any pipeline that follows a route that— (1) traverses land beneath navigable waters (as defined in section 1301 of title 43) beneath, or the adjacent shoreline of, the Beaufort Sea; and (2) enters Canada at any point north of 68 de- grees north latitude. (e) Open season (1) In general Not later than 120 days after October 13, 2004, the Commission shall issue regulations gov- erning the conduct of open seasons for Alaska natural gas transportation projects (including procedures for the allocation of capacity

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

42 U.S.C. § 4321 — Congressional declaration of purpose

Page 6095 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 4321 Sec. 4368a. Utilization of talents of older Americans in projects of pollution prevention, abate- ment, and control. 4368b. General assistance program. 4369. Miscellaneous reports. 4369a. Reports on environmental research and devel- opment activities of Agency. 4370. Reimbursement for use of facilities. 4370a. Assistant Administrators of Environmental Protection Agency; appointment; duties. 4370b. Availability of fees and charges to carry out Agency programs. 4370c. Environmental Protection Agency fees. 4370d. Percentage of Federal funding for organiza- tions owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. 4370e. Working capital fund in Treasury. 4370f. Availability of funds after expiration of pe- riod for liquidating obligations. 4370g. Availability of funds for uniforms and certain services. 4370h. Availability of funds for facilities. 4370i. Regional liaisons for minority, tribal, and low-income communities. 4370j. Municipal Ombudsman. SUBCHAPTER IV—FEDERAL PERMITTING IMPROVEMENT 4370m. Definitions. 4370m–1. Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. 4370m–2. Permitting process improvement. 4370m–3. Interstate compacts. 4370m–4. Coordination of required reviews. 4370m–5. Delegated State permitting programs. 4370m–6. Litigation, judicial review, and savings provi- sion. 4370m–7. Reports. 4370m–8. Funding for governance, oversight, and proc- essing of environmental reviews and per- mits. 4370m–9. Application. 4370m–10. GAO report. 4370m–11. Savings provision. 4370m–12. Repealed. § 4321. Congressional declaration of purpose The purposes of this chapter are: To declare a national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony

Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 42 U.S.C. § 4321

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

42 U.S.C. § 4332 — Congressional declaration of national environmental policy

**(a)** The Congress, recognizing the profound impact of man’s activity on the interrelations of all components of the natural environment, particularly the profound influences of population growth, high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resource exploitation, and new and expanding technological advances and recognizing further the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of man, declares that it is the continuing policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans. **(b)** In order to carry out the policy set forth in this chapter, it is the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations of national policy, to improve and coordinate Federal plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the Nation may— (1) fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations; (2) assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, and esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings; (3) attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences; (4) preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritag

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

42 U.S.C. § 4332 — Cooperation of agencies; reports; avail-

Page 6139 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 4332 (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforce- able at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. J.R. BIDEN, JR. SUBCHAPTER I—POLICIES AND GOALS § 4331. Congressional declaration of national en- vironmental policy (a) The Congress, recognizing the profound im- pact of man’s activity on the interrelations of all components of the natural environment, par- ticularly the profound influences of population growth, high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resource exploitation, and new and expanding technological advances and recog- nizing further the critical importance of restor- ing and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of man, de- clares that it is the continuing policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all prac- ticable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive har- mony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans. (b) In order to carry out the policy set forth in this chapter, it is the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential consider- ations of national policy, to improve and coordi- nate Federal plans, functions, programs, and re- sources to the end that the Nati

Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 42 U.S.C. § 4332

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