The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has introduced updates to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. This initiative aims to address the existing permitting process, aligning with President Trump's commitment to enhance American energy infrastructure and dominance.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated, "President Trump promised to break the permitting logjam, and he is delivering." He emphasized that these reforms aim to cut bureaucratic hurdles, restoring agency authority and promoting energy development. Deputy Energy Secretary James Danly added that the changes will streamline decision-making processes, eliminating unnecessary procedures while ensuring timely legal compliance.
These adjustments are part of a broader interagency effort led by the Council on Environmental Quality under President Trump's Executive Order 14154, known as Unleashing American Energy. The reforms are intended to simplify NEPA compliance, reduce construction costs, and eliminate delays in energy production and infrastructure projects.
Key elements of the updated procedures include reducing completion times for environmental reports from three years to two years, designating a lead agency for project coordination, implementing strict deadlines and page limits for documentation, increasing transparency in the process, and maximizing streamlined processes such as categorical exclusions.
Additionally, DOE's NEPA Procedures reference a recent Supreme Court decision limiting greenhouse gas analysis requirements for agencies. Certain actions have been identified as exempt from NEPA review under these new guidelines.
The DOE’s Interim Final Rule will be published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025. Updated guidance documents are available online.
