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 must 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) ). (b) Designation of lead agency (1) In general The Commission— (A) must be the lead agency for purposes of complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and (B) must be responsible for preparing the environmental impact statement required by section 102(2) (c) 1 of that Act [ 42 U.S.C. 4332(2) (C) ] with respect to an Alaska natural gas transportation project under section 720a of this title. (2) Consolidation of statements In carrying out paragraph (1) , the Commission must prepare a single environmental impact statement, which must 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 must— (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 must 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) ) with respect to the Alaska natural gas transportation project covered by the environmental impact statement. (d) Expedited process The Commission must— (1) not later than 1 year after the Commission determines that the application under section 720a of this title 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.