Pipelines & Energy Infrastructure

Section 2 amends the Natural Gas Act to give FERC exclusive authority to approve/deny LNG export/import facilities and deem such actions consistent with the public interest, directly benefiting pipelines & energy infrastructure companies involved in LNG terminals and natural gas export/import.

Section 4 establishes the Advanced Pipeline Materials and Technologies Demonstration Initiative, which provides financial assistance to eligible entities for demonstration projects on pipeline systems, components, and related technologies, including liquefied natural gas facilities and storage. This directly benefits the energy infrastructure industry (pipelines, midstream operators, LNG terminals) by funding R&D and deployment of next-generation pipeline technologies.

Section 3(a) states that civil actions relating to environmental review under the Natural Gas Act or NEPA shall not affect the validity of a permit, license, or approval issued to a covered facility (LNG facility). Section 3(b) further provides that if a court finds the environmental review violates law, the court shall remand to the agency rather than vacate the permit, and the agency shall continue processing covered applications. This reduces litigation risk and delays for LNG export faciliti

The bill enhances pipeline safety regulations, provides grants for natural gas distribution system upgrades (Sec. 2(i)), and authorizes appropriations for pipeline safety programs, directly benefiting midstream operators and pipeline companies involved in oil, gas, and hazardous liquid transport.

Division B, Title I, Corps of Engineers--Civil, operation and maintenance: $3,245,249,000 from Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for Federal share of eligible operations and maintenance costs for coastal harbors and channels, and $416,760,000 for donor and energy ports per section 102 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020.

Section 2 establishes a program for physical security and cybersecurity for pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities, which directly benefits energy infrastructure companies by improving security, providing technical tools, and developing workforce curricula.

The bill directly targets midstream energy infrastructure by streamlining NEPA reviews for pipelines, LNG terminals, and storage facilities. Sections 2(b)-(g) reduce procedural hurdles, set firm timelines for agency actions, and limit judicial review—key pain points for midstream operators like Kinder Morgan and Williams Companies. This constitutes a clear regulatory benefit that lowers costs and accelerates project deployment.

The bill directly enhances pipeline safety through multiple provisions: reauthorizing and increasing funding for pipeline safety programs (Title I), modernizing pipeline safety standards (Title II), streamlining oversight (Title III), improving safety of emerging gases like hydrogen and CO2 (Title IV), and improving emergency response and transparency (Title V). Specific provisions include inspection of breakout tanks (Sec. 201), risk assessment obligations (Sec. 202), pipeline safety enhancemen

The EPA rule targeted petroleum and natural gas systems, which includes midstream infrastructure such as pipelines, storage, and LNG terminals. Disapproving the rule avoids imposing emissions charges on these systems, benefiting energy infrastructure operators.

By exempting oil and gas exploration and production activities from federal permitting requirements (including NEPA, NHPA, and ESA compliance) under Section 2(r)(2), the bill reduces delays and costs for midstream operators and pipeline companies that rely on timely access to federal mineral estates for infrastructure development.

The bill governs border-crossing facilities for oil, natural gas pipelines, and electric transmission. Section 2(a)(2)(B)(i) assigns FERC as the relevant agency for oil/gas pipelines, and Section 2(d) removes Presidential permit requirements for pipelines and transmission lines, reducing regulatory hurdles for midstream operators like Kinder Morgan and Enbridge.

Section 2(b) promotes interagency coordination and expedites NEPA review for natural gas pipeline authorizations under the Natural Gas Act, which benefits pipeline operators by reducing delays and regulatory uncertainty.

Section 2 protects pipelines, LNG terminals, and midstream operators by forbidding state/local limits on transportation/distribution of energy services based on source, enabling fossil fuel infrastructure expansion.

Section 5 improves water quality certifications for American energy infrastructure, and Section 13 includes linear pipeline projects in nationwide permits, benefiting pipelines and energy infrastructure.

Title I includes $84,883,000 from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for construction of facilities under the Dredged Material Disposal Facilities program, and $3,381,412,000 for operation and maintenance of coastal harbors and channels, benefiting pipelines and energy infrastructure.

By nullifying withdrawals and limiting future Presidential authority to withdraw offshore lands, the bill increases the likelihood of new oil and gas leasing and development offshore. This would drive demand for midstream infrastructure such as pipelines, storage, and LNG export terminals to transport and process newly produced hydrocarbons, benefiting energy infrastructure companies.

Section 2(a)(2) includes pipelines and associated equipment in the definition of inactive structures eligible for reefing in place, allowing midstream operators to avoid removal costs and repurpose infrastructure as artificial reefs.

Section 2(b) directly aids pipelines, LNG terminals, and storage projects by allowing agencies to rely on prior NEPA documents for substantially similar actions, reducing delays and costs.

Section 2(a)(12)(A) assigns responsibilities for energy infrastructure security and resilience, which benefits energy infrastructure firms by enhancing their operational security and federal support.

Section 2(1)(B) amends the Energy Sector Operational Support for Cyberresilience Program to strengthen collective defense, response, and resilience of the U.S. energy sector, including enhancing collaboration between government and energy sector to analyze threats and mitigate operational impacts to energy systems, which benefits energy infrastructure operators such as pipelines, midstream operators, and LNG export terminals.

Section 2(a) codifies TSA responsibility for securing pipeline transportation and pipeline facilities against cybersecurity threats and terrorism, which benefits pipeline operators by establishing federal security standards and oversight.

Section 3(a) includes delegation of authority for 'oil, gas, and other energy activities' on expanded submerged lands, which encompasses midstream infrastructure such as pipelines, storage, and related facilities necessary for production and transport. By enabling state management of leases and revenue collection, the bill facilitates development of offshore energy infrastructure in the expanded zones, benefiting midstream operators.

Section 3(b) grants the Southern Nevada Water Authority a right-of-way for water pipeline infrastructure, powerline, facility, and access road rights-of-way outside the Conservation Area, facilitating construction and operation of water transmission and related facilities, which benefits energy infrastructure operators involved in pipeline and utility development.

Same as above: the EPA rule pertains to petroleum and natural gas systems, which includes midstream infrastructure such as pipelines, storage, and LNG terminals. Disapproval would relieve these entities of the waste emissions charge, benefiting energy infrastructure operators.

Section 3 (SEC. 5540B) supports liquefied natural gas export and storage infrastructure projects linked to Taiwan, benefiting midstream operators and infrastructure entities.

Section 2(g) inserts 'energy,' into NEPA Section 204(4), which may expedite reviews for pipelines, LNG terminals, and other energy infrastructure under the Council's oversight.

The EPA rule targeted petroleum and natural gas systems, which includes midstream infrastructure such as pipelines, storage, and LNG terminals; disapproval relieves those entities of the charge, benefiting the energy infrastructure industry.

Resolution supports National Safe Digging Month and encourages contacting 811 before digging to protect underground utility infrastructure, including pipelines, electric, gas, telecommunications, fiber, water, sewer, and cable television lines. This benefits energy infrastructure operators by reducing damage to their assets.

By overturning the BLM resource management plan that may have limited pipeline or midstream infrastructure approvals, the disapproval likely facilitates energy infrastructure projects in the area, benefiting midstream operators.

Section 1(b)(1) addresses effects on Fund obligations including routine operations, maintenance, and replacement of critical infrastructure, which supports energy infrastructure related to hydropower.

By streamlining interconnection for dispatchable power projects, the bill facilitates grid upgrades and new transmission connections, benefiting energy infrastructure firms involved in transmission and grid modernization.

Section 101(e) requires deployment of fencing, surveillance, and related technology along navigable roads, which benefits energy infrastructure companies involved in pipeline security, surveillance tech, and midstream operations that may be deployed for border security.

Section 1(j)(4)(D)(ii) includes 'critical infrastructure project' as a covered activity, and (E)-(H) define critical infrastructure and related projects. This benefits energy infrastructure companies (e.g., pipelines, LNG terminals) as their projects involving planning, construction, maintenance, or improvement of critical infrastructure (including energy sectors) would be subject to the conclusive presumption, reducing state-level delays.

Section 2(a) bars Federal funds from being used to study or allow breach or alteration of the Lower Snake River dams, which are key components of regional energy infrastructure (hydroelectric power generation and navigation). This protects the continued operation of these dams, benefiting entities involved in energy infrastructure operation and maintenance.

Section 2(g)(3) allows leveraging public-private partnerships to reduce costs of collecting and transporting recyclable materials, which may involve energy infrastructure such as transport logistics and related facilities, benefiting companies in pipelines and energy infrastructure.

The bill's focus on assessing and standardizing offshore hydrocarbon resource exploration and production (Sections 2 and 3) implies support for midstream infrastructure needed to transport, process, and export offshore oil and gas, benefiting pipeline and energy infrastructure companies.

By delisting the dunes sagebrush lizard, the bill reduces ESA-related delays and mitigation requirements for pipelines and midstream infrastructure in the lizard's range, benefiting energy infrastructure companies.

By protecting hydraulic fracturing operations, the bill supports continued production that drives demand for pipelines, storage, and midstream infrastructure used to transport oil and gas.

Section 2 terminates tariffs on steel and aluminum, which are critical inputs for pipelines, LNG terminals, and storage facilities; removal lowers capital costs for midstream operators.