Gas companies are seeking to increase the number of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals on U.S. coasts. These facilities can pose substantial risks, however, for human health and the environment. For that reason, state and local governments have sometimes intervened in the debates over where these facilities are sited.

In its original form, H.R. 6, the energy bill, took that state and local veto power away and left the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the main arbiter of siting decisions, denying states any meaningful role in that process. To restore state authority, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced an amendment that would have given governors 45 days to agree or disagree with federal regulatory decisions. On June 22, 2005, the Senate moved to table (kill) Senate Amendment 841 by a 52-45 vote (Senate roll call vote 146). NO is the pro-environment vote.