Protecting International Pipelines for Energy Security Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1587
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-12T08:06:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Protecting International Pipelines for Energy Security Act" (H.R. 1587) aims to safeguard cross-border energy infrastructure by limiting the President's ability to unilaterally revoke permits for facilities like oil and natural gas pipelines or electric transmission lines that cross U.S. international borders. This promotes energy security by requiring congressional approval for any such revocations.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Revocation: The President is barred from revoking any Presidential permit or similar authorization for constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining oil or natural gas pipelines, electric transmission facilities, or their border-crossing portions, unless Congress explicitly authorizes it through new legislation.
- Scope of Application: This applies to permits issued under specific past Executive Orders (e.g., Nos. 13337, 11423, 12038, and 10485), which delegate authority to the President or relevant agencies for approving international energy projects.
- Definitions:
- Border-crossing facility: The part of a pipeline or transmission line at the U.S. international boundary.
- Natural gas: As defined in the Natural Gas Act, referring to gaseous hydrocarbons used for fuel.
- Oil: Petroleum or petroleum products, like crude oil or refined fuels.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, the President has broad authority via Executive Orders to issue and revoke permits for cross-border energy projects without needing congressional input, often delegated to agencies like the State Department.
- This bill introduces a major restriction: revocations now require an Act of Congress, shifting decision-making power and preventing unilateral executive actions that could disrupt approved projects.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Agencies handling permit reviews (e.g., Departments of State, Energy, or Transportation) may face delays or increased oversight, as revocations become politically complex and require legislative processes.
- Citizens: Could enhance energy reliability by protecting existing pipelines from sudden shutdowns, potentially stabilizing fuel prices and supply chains; however, it might limit flexibility to address environmental or safety concerns quickly.
- International Relations: Strengthens commitments to neighboring countries (e.g., Canada and Mexico) by ensuring U.S.-approved energy infrastructure isn't easily dismantled, fostering trust in bilateral energy trade but possibly straining relations if it blocks responses to international disputes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Energy Companies and Operators: Pipeline and transmission firms benefit from permit stability, reducing risks of investment loss.
- U.S. Congress and Executive Branch: Congress gains more control over energy policy, while the President's authority is curtailed.
- International Partners: Countries like Canada (e.g., Keystone XL pipeline context) and Mexico, reliant on cross-border energy flows.
- Environmental and Consumer Groups: May oppose it for limiting executive ability to revoke permits amid climate concerns, while consumers could see indirect effects on energy affordability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces statutory limits on executive power under the U.S. Code, potentially leading to court challenges if seen as infringing on the President's foreign affairs authority.
- Constitutional: Highlights separation of powers by requiring legislative involvement in executive decisions on international infrastructure, aligning with Congress's role in regulating commerce and treaties.
- Political: Could spark debates on energy independence versus executive flexibility, especially in partisan contexts around fossil fuels; it may influence future energy bills by setting a precedent for congressional oversight of presidential actions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-25: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting International Pipelines for Energy Security Act — issued 2025-02-25 — PDF (2 pages)