Unleashing American Pipelines Act

The Unleashing American Pipelines Act restricts the ability of courts to review federal decisions approving natural gas pipeline projects. It limits legal challenges to the applicant or individuals who can prove they have suffered, or will imminently suffer, direct and irreparable economic harm from the approval. The bill requires that any such lawsuit be filed within 180 days of the decision and mandates that courts use a "clear and convincing evidence" standard rather than the typical "substantial evidence" test when evaluating agency actions. Additionally, it grants exclusive jurisdiction to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for claims alleging that federal agencies acted beyond their legal authority in these approvals.