H.R. 5489 — Future Generations Protection Act

This section states congressional findings that (1) fossil fuels exacerbate the climate crisis, threaten natural resources, and disproportionately harm frontline environmental justice communities; (2) the federal government should transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy; (3) such transition must ensure a fair and just outcome for workers and frontline communities; and (4) this requires prioritizing racial and gender equity, environmental justice, and partnerships with labor unions to provide clean-energy job training and access.

This section (1) amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit emissions of any quantity of greenhouse gases (i.e., carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, or other anthropogenically emitted gases determined by EPA regulation to contribute to global warming) from new electric utility steam generating units (i.e., units that commence operations on or after enactment, as defined in CAA §111(a)); and (2) prohibits the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from approving LNG terminal applications under Natural Gas Act §3(e) (15 U.S.C. 717b(e)) or issuing certificates of public convenience and necessity for natural gas facilities under NGA §7 (15 U.S.C. 717f), with an exception for authorizations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the LNG terminal as determined by the Commission.

This section prohibits hydraulic fracturing on all onshore and offshore lands within U.S. jurisdiction, effective January 1, 2029. It defines hydraulic fracturing as an operation in an individual wellbore designed to increase hydrocarbon flow from a rock formation by fracturing the reservoir rock (excluding enhanced secondary recovery such as water flooding, tertiary recovery, and other well stimulation operations).

This section prohibits exports of domestically produced crude oil and natural gas, including liquefied natural gas and natural gas liquids, except for crude oil exchanges in similar quantity for transportation efficiency or temporary exports across adjacent foreign states, as approved by the Secretary of Commerce with presidential approval. It further amends the Natural Gas Act by (1) eliminating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirement to authorize natural gas exports, retaining only the requirement for imports; and (2) striking the provision deeming natural gas exports to free trade agreement nations consistent with the public interest and granting such applications without modification or delay. (Thus, natural gas exports are prohibited.)