The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has recently recommended amendments to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), aiming to reshape how federal agencies assess the environmental effects of significant federal projects. These proposed changes, prompted by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 addressing the federal debt ceiling, mark a significant departure from the 2020 Trump administration's NEPA regulations.
The suggested revisions would not only undo several of the Trump-era modifications but also reintroduce certain provisions from the original 1978 regulations while incorporating new requirements. Notably, the proposed rules emphasize addressing climate change and environmental justice in NEPA reviews, reflecting a growing concern for these critical issues.
Key provisions include:
Climate Change and Environmental Justice: The proposed amendments broaden the scope of "effects" that agencies must assess to include climate change and environmental justice considerations. While they don't explicitly prioritize climate-beneficial initiatives, the proposed rules signal that projects with positive climate impacts could be favored in evaluations. Additionally, these amendments align with the administration's emphasis on addressing environmental inequities in vulnerable communities.
Project Alternatives: CEQ's recommendation focuses on strengthening the "alternatives section" of the environmental impact statement. By introducing the concept of "reasonably foreseeable environmental effects," the amendments could potentially streamline the range of choices available to agencies, expediting review processes. The replacement of the "reasonable number" requirement with identifying "environmentally preferable alternatives" could impact review efficiency.
Programmatic Reviews: The proposed amendments include adjustments to programmatic reviews, aiming to align with current practices while introducing some refinements. Programmatic reviews offer the potential to simplify evaluations of similar projects in specific regions, although these revisions largely build upon existing recommendations.
Categorical Exclusions: CEQ's proposal maintains the concept of "categorical exclusions" and offers clarity on how these exclusions can be established and applied. This provision allows agencies to define categories of actions that don't usually have a significant environmental impact, streamlining the review process for certain projects.
Deadlines and Schedules: The amendments retain the recent legislative changes concerning review deadlines, emphasizing the importance of completing Environmental Assessments (EAs) within one year and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) within two years. The introduction of milestone-based schedules provides agencies with flexibility while ensuring project timelines are adhered to.
Enforceable Mitigation: CEQ's proposal strengthens the accountability of agencies by requiring them to establish enforceable mitigation measures that align with the analysis of environmental effects. This addition ensures that proposed actions include tangible steps to address potential adverse impacts.
Innovative Approaches: A notable addition is the introduction of an "innovative approach" section, allowing CEQ to address exceptional environmental challenges creatively. This provision encourages agencies to explore new methods, technologies, and collaborations to meet NEPA requirements effectively.
While the proposed NEPA amendments aim to address critical environmental concerns, questions linger about their impact on project efficiency. Critics argue that a focus on climate change might inadvertently slow down projects with significant emissions. As the public comment period concludes on September 29, 2023, the eventual rules will likely undergo further refinement to strike a balance between environmental protection and efficient project execution.
Regardless of the outcome, these amendments represent a vital step in shaping a more environmentally conscious project assessment process. Congressional responses, legal challenges, and ongoing debates will continue to shape the evolution of NEPA regulations in the coming months.
