No more NEPA?
This interim final rule removes the Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act from the CFR. In addition, this interim final rule requests comments on this action and related matters to inform CEQ's decision making.
This interim final rule removes the Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act from the CFR. In addition, this interim final rule requests comments on this action and related matters to inform CEQ's decision making.
Comments
What this does is create chaos.
NEPA isn’t going away with this proposed rule. It revokes CEQ’s centralized guidance, but federal agencies have their own implementing procedures.
This is definitely a push to weaken it as without CEQ guidance, individual agencies could revise their procedures to align with the administration’s priorities.
https://bsky.app/profile/lincolnskayak.bsky.social/post/3ljaiwn6ncs26
It also ensures we properly consider the impacts of our actions. Without NEPA, actions related to fracking, rocket launches, destroying critical habitat, etc. will not be subject to review.
This is a huge deal.
NEPA is a 5-page law signed by Nixon in 1970. NEPA was enacted before the modern versions of the Clean Air Act (1970) or the Clean Water Act (1972), before the Endangered Species Act (1973), and before the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (1970).
Look up:
- Picher, OK
- St. Lawrence River Area of Concern at Massena/Akwesasne
…and so many more.