https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HeJrK4Y7PI&feature=youtu.be
WASHINGTON - Maine 2nd District Republican Congressman Bruce Poliquin is voicing support for legislation making its way through Congress that's designed to speed up the permitting process for natural gas pipelines.
The Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 12 months to approve a project after receiving a completed application.
Other licensing agencies would have 90 days to issue their approvals. Failure to meet the deadlines would mean the project would automatically be approved.
On the House floor this afternoon, Poliquin told his colleagues that, because of high energy costs, several mills closed in Maine last year, resulting in the loss of 1,000 jobs.
"We must allow the increased production and transportation of natural gas to drive down the cost of electric power," Poliquin said, "and save our mills and factories, and save our jobs."
Concerns have been raised that the measure would not give regulatory agencies enough time to complete thorough reviews. President Obama says he'll veto the measure in its present form.
