Rep. Upton renews push for pipeline bill

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) introduced the bill before the government shutdown, which postponed a committee review of the proposed legislation.

The bill, introduced on Tuesday by Upton and Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas), includes a few changes. It will address how current pending applications of cross-border energy projects are handled. It also includes an effective date of July 1, 2015.

The legislation would still put the Commerce Department, in place of the State Department, as head of permitting for cross-border oil pipelines. It would also cut environmental study.

The hearing is back on the House Energy and Power subcommittee’s schedule for Tuesday.