ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OPPOSES FEDERAL REGULATOR’S UNLAWFUL PLAN TO BYPASS REVIEW OF GAS PIPELINE PROJECTS

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OPPOSES FEDERAL REGULATOR'S UNLAWFUL PLAN TO BYPASS REVIEW OF GAS PIPELINE PROJECTS

July 28, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opposing its proposed rule to unlawfully bypass the review of natural gas pipeline projects that would likely raise consumers' energy bills, increase air pollution and worsen climate change.

Raoul and the coalition explain in their letter that the commission's proposed rule to expand the category of pipeline projects that are automatically authorized under its "blanket certificate" would allow more projects to bypass review required under the Natural Gas Act to ensure that the projects serve the needs and interest of the public. The letter goes on to state the commission "must ensure that new pipelines do not unfairly burden everyday consumers, the air we breathe and the water we use."

"Illinois residents deserve to know if their energy bills, health or environment are at risk, which is why I am asking the FERC not to forgo its review of many natural gas pipeline projects that would ultimately worsen climate change," Raoul said. "The commission must sustain its process that ensures important projects are reviewed under the Natural Gas Act and not adjust its procedures to allow pipeline projects to bypass that critical process."

On May 21, FERC proposed a rule to substantially increase the dollar threshold for projects that qualify for automatic approval, which allows companies to proceed without any advance notice to the public or FERC. Under current regulations, projects that cost less than $14.5 million qualify for this automatic approval. FERC proposes to more than double that threshold to $30 million.

Additionally, FERC proposes to lift the threshold to $86 million, up from $41.1 million currently, for so-called "prior notice" projects. Under that category, companies must provide 60 days' notice and if no objections are made, the companies can proceed. The commission would annually adjust those thresholds based on an industry index of construction costs rather than its current inflation-based measure. FERC is also proposing to give "prior notice" approval for all compressor expansion projects that occur within the fenceline of an existing station, no matter the cost.

Raoul and the attorneys general argue FERC's proposed rule violates the Natural Gas Act, the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Joining Attorney General Raoul in submitting the comments are attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.