The House Committee on Natural Resources conducted an oversight hearing today focusing on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and exploring reforms to streamline the federal permitting process. Bruce Westerman, Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, addressed the issues with NEPA in a statement.
“America’s permitting process is broken. Although our environmental laws were well-intentioned, they have evolved into a litigious tool that hinders critical projects essential to our economic competitiveness, energy security and national security,” Westerman stated. “Without reform, America will continue to be hamstrung by our own red tape and cede our advantages to our adversaries. Today’s hearing takes a critical step forward in examining the flaws in the existing permitting process, brings solutions forward and puts us one step closer to long overdue permitting reform.”
NEPA is a procedural statute designed for assessing and publicly disclosing the environmental impact of major federal actions. It covers various projects such as roads, bridges, highways, ports, irrigation systems, transmission lines, conventional and renewable energy projects, broadband and water infrastructure.
However, NEPA has become known for its lengthy processes that increase costs and timelines for these projects. It is also noted as the most frequently litigated environmental statute. On average, litigation related to NEPA takes 4.2 years to resolve.
Despite moderate reforms achieved through previous legislative actions like the Fiscal Responsibility Act and efforts during the Trump administration aimed at improving NEPA procedures, further action is deemed necessary by lawmakers to provide certainty for developers and federal agencies.
By refining this process further, Congress aims to ensure important projects related to America’s energy security and infrastructure can progress efficiently.
