On October 15, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued two proposals aimed at speeding up approvals of natural gas infrastructure projects by narrowing the scope of its environmental reviews. FERC’s intention is to streamline agency reviews to help ensure that necessary pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities are both approved and built faster.

The first proposal is a draft policy statement that would scale back FERC’s review of air quality impacts from natural gas projects. Developers would no longer be required to provide air dispersion modeling, which calculates how air pollutants disperse in the atmosphere, in their Natural Gas Act applications. FERC also would no longer rely on this modeling when assessing air quality impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The agency reasoned that this analysis is already covered by Clean Air Act permitting overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental agencies, making another review by FERC unnecessary. To further bolster its position, FERC pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2025 decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, which limited the scope of NEPA reviews by federal agencies.

Notably, FERC commissioner Judy Chang broke ranks and aired her concerns about doing away with air dispersion modeling, stating it is the best tool available for understanding local and regional air impacts stemming from the FERC-permitted projects. She warned the change would create greater uncertainty for FERC and developers while depriving the public of critical local air quality information.

In contrast to the first proposal, the second proposal drew unanimous support from all FERC commissioners. FERC voted to issue regulations allowing LNG operators to obtain one-time blanket authorizations for certain construction or expansion activities that will not have major impacts on project operations. The regulations would create a three-tiered system for blanket LNG projects: (1) projects automatically authorized after landowners and communities are notified; (2) projects requiring 60 days’ notice, giving FERC staff an opportunity to protest; and (3) projects requiring 90 days’ notice.

Together, these two proposals signal a clear shift from FERC toward faster permitting for gas infrastructure. Supporters argue that streamlined reviews will lower energy costs and improve energy supply reliability, while critics worry that local communities could lose valuable information about the air quality in their area. As FERC moves to finalize these proposals, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether streamlined permitting processes delivers on the promises of more abundant, speedy, and reliable energy, or if these changes will come at the expense of thorough environmental reviews.