Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statements supporting the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) interim final rule. The rule removes CEQ’s authority from NEPA implementation.
“Far too often the NEPA permitting process has been weaponized by liberal administrations to delay or halt necessary infrastructure in the United States,” said Chairman LaMalfa. “Fortunately, President Trump understands that rolling back burdensome regulations is an important first step to reforming permitting and driving down the cost and time necessary to deliver American energy and infrastructure projects. By removing CEQ’s unconstitutional authority our Federal land management agencies will be able to more simply manage public lands for mining, forestry, grazing, recreation, and every other beneficial purpose. The Western Caucus will continue to work with the Trump Administration to further shrink the cumbersome permitting process and release the full potential of American resources.”
"For too long, western communities have waited for critical energy and infrastructure projects while paperwork piled up in Washington," said Chair Lummis. “I appreciate the Trump administration’s effort to initiate permitting reform. His balanced approach will ensure that environmental reviews focus on meaningful analysis rather than on endless and costly procedural hurdles.”
Background:
Under the Biden Administration, CEQ overstepped its authority to make regulations and issue binding regulations on Federal agencies. This authority was rescinded under Marin Audubon Society v. Federal Aviation Administration and Iowa v. CEQ. This rule from the Trump Administration uses executive authority to formally remove CEQ’s authority to issue binding guidance to Federal agencies, which will allow agencies to more appropriately take actions under their purview to best meet their goals.
Public comments on the rule are due by March 27 and the interim rule takes effect April 11.
