H.R. 10500, Pipeline Litigation Shield. Quorum's AI analysis reads it as a net cost — and names who bears it.
H.R. 10500 · Net cost
What it does
This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to restrict who can challenge pipeline certificate approvals in court and to raise the evidentiary bar for those challenges. Only the pipeline applicant or parties suffering direct economic harm can sue, and only within 180 days; courts must apply a 'clear and convincing evidence' standard instead of the normal 'substantial evidence' test, making it harder to overturn agency approvals. The effect is to shield pipeline projects from legal challenge by environmental groups, landowners, and communities unless they can prove direct economic injury.
The analysis names natural gas pipeline companies and developers — and 1 more group — among the beneficiaries.
The cost
Environmental groups and public-interest organizations lose standing to challenge pipelines unless they can prove direct economic harm—a high bar for nonprofits and advocacy groups.
The analysis put a high warning level on this bill. Transparency scores 75%, and the analysis found no provisions unrelated to the bill's subject.
Who is behind it
Filed by Laurel Lee.
The week in bills
One email, Sunday: what Congress passed, what it changed, and who paid.
One link arrives to confirm the address. It is used for this email and nothing else, and every issue carries an unsubscribe link.