To expedite a decision on the delivery of Alaska natural gas to United States markets, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SHORT TITLE Oct. 22, 1976 [S. 3521] Alaska Natural Transportation Act of 1976. SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "Alaska Natural Gas 15 USC 719 note. Transportation Act of 1976”. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS SEC. 2. The Congress finds and declares that (1) a natural gas supply shortage exists in the contiguous States of the United States; (2) large reserves of natural gas in the State of Alaska could help significantly to alleviate this supply shortage; (3) the expeditious construction of a viable natural gas transportation system for delivery of Alaska natural gas to United States markets is in the national interest; and (4) the determinations whether to authorize a transportation system for delivery of Alaska natural gas to the contiguous States and, if so, which system to select, involve questions of the utmost importance respecting national energy policy, international relations, national security, and economic and environmental impact, and therefore should appropriately be addressed by the Congress and the President in addition to those Federal officers and agencies assigned functions under law pertaining to the selection, construction, and initial operation of such a system. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 15 USC 719. SEC. 3. The purpose of this Act is to provide the means for making 15 USC 719a. a sound decision as to the selection of a transportation system for delivery of Alaska natural gas to the contiguous States for construction and initial operation by providing for the participation of the President and the Congress in the selection process, and, if such a system is approved under this Act, to expedite its construction and initial operation by (1) limiting the jurisdiction of the courts to review the actions of Federal officers or agencies taken pursuant to the direction and authority of this Act, and (2) permitting the limitation of administrative procedures and effecting the limitation of judicial procedures related to such actions. To accomplish this purpose it is the intent of the Congress to exercise its constitutional powers to the fullest extent in the authorizations and directions herein made, and particularly with respect to the limitation of judicial review of actions of Federal officers or agencies taken pursuant thereto. 90 STAT. 2904 15 USC 719b. Proceedings, Recommendation, submittal to President. DEFINITIONS SEC. 4. As used in this Act: (1) the term "Alaska natural gas" means natural gas derived from the area of the State of Alaska generally known as the North Slope of Alaska, including the Continental Shelf thereof; (2) the term "Commission" means the Federal Power Commission; (3) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior; (4) the term "provision of law" means any provision of a Federal statute or rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder; and (5) the term "approved transportation system" means the system for the transportation of Alaska natural gas designated by the President pursuant to section 7(a) or 8(b) and approved by joint resolution of the Congress pursuant to section 8. FEDERAL POWER COMMISSION REVIEWS AND REPORTS SEC. 5. (a) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of the Natural Gas Act or any other provision of law, the Commission shall suspend all proceedings pending before the Commission on the date of enactment of this Act relating to a system for the transportation of Alaska natural gas as soon as the Commission determines to be practicable after such date, and the Commission may refuse to act on any application, amendment thereto, or other requests for action under the Natural Gas Act relating to a system for the transportation of Alaska natural gas until such time as (A) a decision of the President designating such a system for approval takes effect pursuant to section 8, (B) no such decision takes effect pursuant to section 8, or (C) the President decides not to designate such a system for approval under section 8 and so advises the Congress pursuant to section 7. (2) In the event a decision of the President designating such a system takes effect pursuant to this Act, the Commission shall forthwith vacate proceedings suspended under paragraph (1) and, pursuant to section 9 and in accordance with the President's decision, issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity respecting such system. (3) In the event such a decision of the President does not take effect pursuant to this Act or the President decides not to designate such a system and so advises the Congress pursuant to section 7, the suspension provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be removed. (b) (1) The Commission shall review all applications for the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity relating to the transportation of Alaska natural gas pending on the date of enactment of this Act, and any amendments thereto which are timely made, and after consideration of any alternative transportation system which the Commission determines to be reasonable, submit to the President not later than May 1, 1977, a recommendation concerning the selection of such a transportation system. Such recommendation may be in the form of a proposed certificate of public convenience and necessity, or in such other form as the Commission determines to be appropriate, or may recommend that no decision respecting the selection of such a transportation system be made at this time or pursuant to this Act. Any recommendation that the President approve a particular transportation system shall (A) include a description of the nature and route of the system, (B) designate |