North American Energy Act
Sponsored By: Senator John Hoeven
Introduced
Summary
Creates a single federal certificate process to authorize construction, connection, and operation of border-crossing oil, natural gas, and electricity facilities. It removes the need for presidential permits and assigns clear agency roles and deadlines for approval and rulemaking.
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- Project developers and facility owners must obtain a certificate of crossing before building or operating a border-crossing oil, natural gas, or electric transmission facility. Certificates must be issued within 90 days after the relevant NEPA final action unless the action finds the project is not in the public interest. Exemptions cover facilities already operating on enactment and certain pending or issued permits.
- Federal regulators are assigned specific roles. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission handles oil and natural gas pipelines. The Department of Energy handles electric transmission and must require compliance with the Electric Reliability Organization and applicable regional transmission organizations or independent system operators.
- Cross-border trade rules change. FERC must grant complete applications to import or export natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico within 30 days. The bill also repeals the Federal Power Act provision that required a separate order for electricity transmission to Canada and Mexico.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster approvals for Canada and Mexico gas
If enacted, the Commission would have to grant applications to import or export natural gas to Canada or Mexico within 30 days after it gets a complete application. This deadline would start upon enactment.
Changes to cross-border electric approvals
If enacted, the bill would repeal the law that set rules for sending electricity to foreign countries. It would also change who must hold hearings and make findings about proposed cross-border transmission lines. The Secretary would take on new finding duties. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
New cross-border energy certificate rules
If enacted, this bill would require companies to get a new certificate before building or operating cross-border oil, gas, or electric lines. The certificate rule would start one year after enactment. After NEPA review, FERC or the Energy Secretary would have 90 days to decide. Electric crossings must meet reliability and regional operator rules. Existing lines and some pending permits could be exempt. Presidential permits would no longer be required. Agencies would have set rulemaking deadlines. Anyone aggrieved by a final decision could file in court within 60 days.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
John Hoeven
ND • R
Cosponsors
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
PA • R
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov