This bill matters because it could fundamentally change how large natural gas infrastructure projects are approved in the United States. Currently, critics argue that FERC's review process sometimes overlooks the full environmental and social costs of these projects. If this bill becomes law, FERC would have explicit instructions and thresholds to follow, potentially leading to fewer projects being approved in environmentally sensitive areas or without robust plans to reduce pollution.

This shift could empower communities, especially those historically overburdened by pollution, by giving them more leverage in the project review process. It could also accelerate the push for cleaner energy sources by making it more difficult to approve projects that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions without substantial mitigation. Without this bill, FERC's approach to these issues might remain less defined and potentially inconsistent, allowing projects to proceed with fewer requirements for environmental and community protection.