"WASHINGTON — Amid pushback from industry groups and lawmakers in both parties, federal energy regulators on Thursday scaled back plans to consider how natural gas projects affect climate change and environmental justice.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said a plan to consider climate effects will now be considered a draft and will only apply to future projects.

Opponents had criticized a proposal approved last month to tighten climate rules, saying it was poorly timed amid a push for increased natural gas exports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called the climate policy “baffling,” while Senate Energy Committee Chairman Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said the agency’s “reckless decision to add unnecessary roadblocks” to approval of natural gas projects “puts the security of our nation at risk.”"

Matthew Daly reports for the Associated Press March 24, 2022. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"FERC Retreats On Gas Policies As Chair Pursues Clarity" (E&E News) [3]

"Energy Regulators Revamp Much-Criticized Gas Review Policy" (Bloomberg Environment) [4]