Pipeline Fairness and Transparency Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 3, 2019

Pipeline Fairness and Transparency Act

This bill addresses eminent domain, environmental review for interstate natural gas pipeline projects, and the visual impacts of natural gas pipeline projects on national scenic trails.

The bill revises the process for environmental reviews of natural gas projects. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must prepare a supplement to a draft or final environmental impact statement if (1) FERC makes a substantial change in the proposed action that is relevant to environmental concerns, or (2) there are significant new circumstances relevant to environmental concerns. FERC must also hold public meetings in each county (or equivalent subdivision) in which a project is to be located.

Additionally, in an environmental impact statement, an evaluation of the visual impacts of a project on a national scenic trail must include a cumulative analysis of the visual impacts of the project and similar proposed projects.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9] · R–VA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 25, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Jan 3, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 3, 2019
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2019
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 3, 2019 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jan 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.173 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.173, 116th Congress: Pipeline Fairness and Transparency Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/173

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-01-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr173/BILLS-116hr173ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-15T18:51:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.173 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.173 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.173, 116th Congress: Pipeline Fairness and Transparency Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/173

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-01-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr173/BILLS-116hr173ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-15T18:51:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.173 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.173 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.173, 116th Congress: Pipeline Fairness and Transparency Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/173

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-01-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr173/BILLS-116hr173ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-15T18:51:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.173 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Liberty lens

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View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.173, 116th Congress: Pipeline Fairness and Transparency Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/173

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-01-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr173/BILLS-116hr173ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-15T18:51:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.173 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.