The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced changes to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. This move is part of a broader government effort to modernize and speed up environmental reviews for public infrastructure and military construction projects, aligning with President Trump's Executive Order on energy.
The updated NEPA procedures are now consistent across the DoD, aiming for predictable and timely reviews. Key changes include expanding categorical exclusions, setting deadlines for review completion, simplifying updates to procedures, and using past evaluations to expedite new project reviews. These adjustments are expected to reduce time and costs related to environmental reviews, aiding faster construction crucial for national security.
"These improvements are essential to modernizing our infrastructure and strengthening our national security," stated Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey. "By streamlining the environmental review process, we will deliver critical projects more efficiently."
The DoD's revised procedures align with amendments in the BUILDER Act provisions within the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act and a recent Supreme Court decision. The coordinated effort involved collaboration with the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
For more details on the 2025 DoD NEPA Implementing Procedures, visit https://www.denix.osd.mil/nepa/.
