Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1976

(Measure passed House, amended)

Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act - Provides for the suspension, as soon as practicable, of all proceedings pending before the Federal Power Commission on the date of enactment relating to the transportation of Alaskan natural gas.

Directs the Commission to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity for any transportation system designated by the President. Directs the Commission to review all applications for a certificate of public convenience and necessity pending on the date of enactment.

Authorizes any Federal agency to submit advisory reports to assist the President with respect to any recommendation made by the Commission.

Requires the Council on Environmental Quality to conduct hearings and receive written statements concerning the legal and factual sufficiency of any environmental impact statements submitted pursuant to any of the transportation systems considered by the Commission.

Requires the President to render a decision by September 1, 1977, as to whether an Alaskan transportation system should be approved. Specifies the elements required to be included in such decision. Directs the President to appoint a Federal officer or board to serve as Federal inspector of construction of the approved system.

Provides that the decision of the President shall take effect upon enactment of a joint resolution by the Congress within 60 days of receipt of such decision.

Requires that, prior to the submission of such decision to the Congress, the President must find that any required environmental impact statement has been prepared and complies with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

Directs any Federal officer or agency who has the authority to issue a certificate, right-of-way permit, lease or other authorization necessary or related to the construction and initial operation of the approved system to issue such authorization as soon as practicable. Requires that priority be given to such applications over other similar applications.

Provides that actions taken by Federal officers or agencies pursuant to this Act shall not be suject to judicial review except as authorized by this Act. Vests exclusive jurisdiction over claims brought pursuant to this Act in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

Grants to any Federal officer or agency the authority to issue a compliance order or to bring a civil action against any person determined to be in violation of any law administered by such officer or agency.

Subjects any exportation of Alaskan natural gas to the requirements of the Natural Gas Act and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

Prohibits discrimination against any person seeking to transport gas in the approved system in the terms and conditions of service or on the basis of ownership.

Directs Federal officers and agencies to take affirmative action to assure that no person be excluded from receiving or participating in any activity conducted under a Federal authorization on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex.

Directs the President to determine what special expediting procedures are necessary to insure the equitable allocation of north slope crude oil to the Northern Tier States.

Authorizes and directs the Attorney General of the United States to conduct a thorough study of the antitrust issues and problems relating to the production and transportation of Alaskan natural gas. Requires that such study be completed and submitted to the Congress within six months of the enactment of this Act.

Terminates this Act in the event that no decision of the President takes effect.