WASHINGTON— This week, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson signed a bicameral letter urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to act on a natural gas expansion project, GTN XPress, which has been stalled at the commission after receiving its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) almost 11 months ago. The project would increase capacity for the Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) system – bolstering supply to improve reliability and lower energy costs in Idaho, eastern Washington, central and eastern Oregon, and northern California.  

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) led the letter, joined by Reps. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Kelly Armstrong (ND-At Large), and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), along with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and James Risch (R-Idaho).  

“The future of clean energy should not be reliant on lengthy delays and holdups,” said Rep. Simpson. “Idahoans are facing historically high gas and energy prices, and this delay has caused significant uncertainty among consumers. Building a better energy future is one of my top priorities, and I am proud to sign on to this critical letter.”   

Highlights of the letter are below.   

“This delay has created significant uncertainty for energy users in the states and districts we represent and will likely subject them to higher priced energy alternatives. It is unreasonable for a project like GTN XPress, which meets all the Commission's criteria and impacts no landowners, to be subject to such lengthy delays. It is time for FERC to act,” the members wrote.  

“Further, according to FERC's FEIS the project would not have significant environmental impacts,” the members continued. “Regarding GHG emissions more generally, increasing natural gas use in electricity generation has already helped the nation achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions, with electric sector emissions dropping 32% between 2005 and 2019 largely driven by the transition from coal to natural gas. Natural gas use can actually help states like Oregon, which currently relies on coal for 25% of its electricity generation, meet carbon reduction goals by incorporating cleaner burning fuels like natural gas into the electric grid.”  

The members conclude by expressing concerns that the current delay does not comply with the intent of the Natural Gas Act. They urge FERC to issue a timely decision to provide certainty to consumers across the region.  

The full letter is available here.