"The fact is FERC's process for siting and constructing interstate pipelines is not working--especially for landowners."
"For an independent regulatory agency to help a private party seize state lands to build a pipeline is as wrong as it is bizarre."
"It is a travesty."
"In 1938, the United States Congress enacted the Natural Gas Act to regulate the interstate transport of natural gas."
"This action made regional access to the newly emerging energy source possible."
"However, in recent decades, the execution of this authority has come under scrutiny."
"Though, I appreciate the Commission's consideration of this specific concern, this does not match the sweeping reform FERC must implement to fix a bygone process."
"Hon. Bobby L. Rush, a Representative in Congress from the State of Illinois, opening statement."
"Fires often occur within the U.S. An average of 73,000 wildfires burn seven million acres of U.S. land each and every year."
"According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, the annual area burned in our nation's western states alone could increase two to six times the current areas by the middle of this century."
"Last year, California experienced historically catastrophic fires resulting in a tragic loss of life and unimaginable destruction to homes and property."
"I want to thank our witnesses for their participation in today's hearing, and I look forward to identifying concrete solutions to these daunting problems."