H. R. 4837—39
that Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) with respect to an Alaska
natural gas transportation project under section 103.
(2) CONSOLIDATION OF STATEMENTS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Commission shall prepare a single environmental
impact statement, which shall consolidate the environmental
reviews of all Federal agencies considering any aspect of the
Alaska natural gas transportation project covered by the
environmental impact statement.
(c) OTHER AGENCIES.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each Federal agency considering an
aspect of the construction and operation of an Alaska natural
gas transportation project under section 103 shall—
(A) cooperate with the Commission; and
(B) comply with deadlines established by the Commis-
sion in the preparation of the environmental impact state-
ment under this section.
(2) SATISFACTION OF NEPA REQUIREMENTS.—The environ-
mental impact statement prepared under this section shall
be adopted by each Federal agency described in paragraph
(1) in satisfaction of the responsibilities of the Federal agency
under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) with respect to the Alaska
natural gas transportation project covered by the environmental
impact statement.
(d) EXPEDITED PROCESS.—The Commission shall—
(1) not later than 1 year after the Commission determines
that the application under section 103 with respect to an Alaska
natural gas transportation project is complete, issue a draft
environmental impact statement under this section; and
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of issuance
of the draft environmental impact statement, issue a final
environmental impact statement, unless the Commission for
good cause determines that additional time is needed.
SEC. 105. PIPELINE EXPANSION.
(a) AUTHORITY.—With respect to any Alaska natural gas
transportation project, on a request by 1 or more persons and
after giving notice and an opportunity for a hearing, the Commission
may order the expansion of the Alaska natural gas project if the
Commission determines that such an expansion is required by
the present and future public convenience and necessity.
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES
OF
COMMISSION.—Before ordering an
expansion under subsection (a), the Commission shall—
(1) approve or establish rates for the expansion service
that are designed to ensure the recovery, on an incremental
or rolled-in basis, of the cost associated with the expansion
(including a reasonable rate of return on investment);
(2) ensure that the rates do not require existing shippers
on the Alaska natural gas transportation project to subsidize
expansion shippers;
(3) find that a proposed shipper will comply with, and
the proposed expansion and the expansion of service will be
undertaken and implemented based on, terms and conditions
consistent with the tariff of the Alaska natural gas transpor-
tation project in effect as of the date of the expansion;
H. R. 4837—40
(4) find that the proposed facilities will not adversely affect
the financial or economic viability of the Alaska natural gas
transportation project;
(5) find that the proposed facilities will not adversely affect
the overall operations of the Alaska natural gas transportation
project;
(6) find that the proposed facilities will not diminish the
contract rights of existing shippers to previously subscribed
certificated capacity;
(7) ensure that all necessary environmental reviews have
been completed; and
(8) find that adequate downstream facilities exist or are
expected to exist to deliver incremental Alaska natural gas
to market.
(c) REQUIREMENT FOR A FIRM TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT.—
Any order of the Commission issued in accordance with this section
shall be void unless the person requesting the order executes a
firm transportation agreement with the Alaska natural gas
transportation project within such reasonable period of time as
the order may specify.
(d) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this section expands or otherwise
affects any authority of the Commission with respect to any natural
gas pipeline located outside the State.
(e) REGULATIONS.—The Commission may issue such regulations
as are necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 106. FEDERAL COORDINATOR.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established, as an independent
office in the executive branch, the Office of the Federal Coordinator
for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects.
(b) FEDERAL COORDINATOR.—
(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Office shall be headed by a Federal
Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects,
who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, to serve a term to last
until 1 year following the completion of the project referred
to in section 103.
(2) COMPENSATION.—The Federal Coordinator shall be com-
pensated at the rate prescribed for level III of the Executive
Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5314).
(c) DUTIES.—The Federal Coordinator shall be responsible for—
(1) coordinating the expeditious discharge of all activities
by Federal agencies with respect to an Alaska natural gas
transportation project; and
(2) ensuring the compliance of Federal agencies with the
provisions of this division.
(d) REVIEWS
AND ACTIONS
OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—
(1) EXPEDITED
REVIEWS
AND
ACTIONS.—All reviews con-
ducted and actions taken by any Federal agency relating to
an Alaska natural gas transportation project authorized under
this section shall be expedited, in a manner consistent with
completion of the necessary reviews and approvals by the dead-
lines under this division.
(2) PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—No
Federal agency may include in any certificate, right-of-way,
permit, lease, or other authorization issued to an Alaska natural
gas transportation project any term or condition that may be