{"id":28757,"date":"2025-01-25T23:44:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-26T07:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/trump-orders-nepa-changes-faster-energy-project-permits\/"},"modified":"2025-01-25T23:44:39","modified_gmt":"2025-01-26T07:44:39","slug":"trump-orders-nepa-changes-faster-energy-project-permits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/trump-orders-nepa-changes-faster-energy-project-permits\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump orders NEPA changes, faster energy project permits"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech\">\n    <button class=\"text-to-speech__button button\"><\/p>\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"text-to-speech__button__icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/static\/images\/audio_icon.svg?482016190122\" alt=\"-\"><\/p>\n<p>        Listen to the article<br \/>\n        <span class=\"text-to-speech__button__audio-length\">5 min<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls\">\n        <audio controls=\"\" class=\"js-text-to-speech\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dmgi9movl\/video\/upload\/q_1\/v1737644383\/news\/text_to_speech\/trump-executive-orders-energy-permits-nepa_ljdxkq.wav\" type=\"audio\/mp3\"><\/source><\/audio><\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls__text\">\n            This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\">feedback<\/a>.\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>President Donald Trump took steps Monday to cut back the White House\u2019s National Environmental Policy Act rulemaking powers and to speed up permits for energy infrastructure projects powered by oil, gas, nuclear, coal, hydropower and biofuel, as well as efforts to mine critical minerals.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Trump also directed his administration to prepare recommendations for Congress on how to reform the federal construction permitting process.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Following an energy-focused inaugural address in which he declared \u201cWe will drill, baby, drill,\u201d Trump signed an executive order <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/01\/declaring-a-national-energy-emergency\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>declaring a national energy emergency<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>. The directive calls for the use of emergency regulations, including under the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, to expedite energy infrastructure projects.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In Section 5 of a Monday directive titled <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/01\/unleashing-american-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Unleashing American Energy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, the president revoked a longstanding executive order that gives the White House Council on Environmental Quality the power to craft rules for how agencies comply with NEPA.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><strong><span><span>NEPA, other permit changes<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The president\u2019s Unleashing American Energy order directs the chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, currently Brenda Mallory, to provide guidance on implementing NEPA and to propose <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/current\/title-40\/chapter-V\/subchapter-A\/part-1500\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>rescinding CEQ\u2019s NEPA regulations<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> within 30 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Trump\u2019s actions follow a surprise finding last year by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/trump-boosts-court-ruling-that-bulldozed-white-house-nepa-regs\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>CEQ has no authority to write regulations<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, E&amp;E reported, cutting back the White House\u2019s role in orchestrating environmental reviews for major projects. Instead of creating rules for how federal agencies should comply with NEPA, CEQ would provide guidance and head a coordinated effort to update relevant agencies\u2019 environmental review procedures.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The order also directs agencies to eliminate delays within their respective permitting processes, such as through the use of general permitting and permitting by rule. It dictates that agencies use all possible authority, including emergency powers, to expedite federal permits \u201cfor any project an agency head deems essential for the Nation\u2019s economy or national security.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Lifts environmental restrictions<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Trump\u2019s directive also eliminates some existing environmental restrictions, requiring federal permitting processes to adhere only to legislated requirements for environmental considerations, and to use only \u201cthe most robust methodologies\u201d to assess environmental impacts.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Trump cited inadequate energy infrastructure and high energy prices as national security threats when invoking the National Emergencies Act, and notably cast blame at his predecessor\u2019s feet. But the oil and gas industry actually gained ground under former President Joe Biden. The <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=64125\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>U.S. now produces more crude oil than any country, ever<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, per an update from the U.S. Energy Information Administration released Dec. 24.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In a White House news conference Tuesday, several tech giants announced plans to invest $100 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure, including data centers, which create huge energy demands. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/tech-giants-500-billion-for-data-centers\/737952\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Trump pledged to streamline permits<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> and accelerate project timelines to ensure the initiative\u2019s success, and said energy projects will play a key role in supporting those data centers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Big blow to wind<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>While Trump promised to unleash energy projects, wind \u2014 the country\u2019s largest source of renewable energy, per the Energy Department \u2014 was a notable carveout. On Monday, he signed an <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/01\/temporary-withdrawal-of-all-areas-on-the-outer-continental-shelf-from-offshore-wind-leasing-and-review-of-the-federal-governments-leasing-and-permitting-practices-for-wind-projects\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>executive order halting new permits<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, approvals and loans for all wind projects and temporarily withdrawing all federal waters from consideration for offshore wind leasing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Wind and solar projects, a major focus of the Biden administration, comprise about <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/electricity\/electricity-in-the-us-generation-capacity-and-sales.php\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>14% of the country\u2019s power<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> supply, according to the EIA.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Even though the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/wind\/where-wind-power-is-harnessed.php\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>biggest wind energy producers are red states<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, according to the EIA, Trump has repeatedly vowed to end such projects. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>His order <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/trump-bars-offshore-wind-leases-in-opening-salvo-against-his-energy-nemesis\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>stops short of freezing construction<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> of offshore projects along the East Coast, which wind opponents sought and industry supporters feared, according to E&amp;E News. Still, it is a powerful blow to the burgeoning industry: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/articles\/us-department-energy-projects-strong-growth-us-wind-power-sector\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Wind power is one of the fastest-growing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> sources of electricity in the U.S., according to the Energy Department.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"storylines-carousel-wrapper hide-small show-large\" id=\"desktop-carousel\"\/>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The order also directs the administration\u2019s pick for Secretary of the Interior, former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, to lead a comprehensive assessment of federal wind leasing and permitting practices. As of 2023, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/state\/analysis.php?sid=ND\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>wind generated 36% of North Dakota<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u2019s power, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>While Trump\u2019s emergency declaration and other orders will <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/01\/22\/nx-s1-5269717\/trump-energy-emergency-climate\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>almost certainly be challenged in cour<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>t, little can happen until agencies determine what options are available and take action, NPR reported. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/trump-executive-orders-energy-permits-nepa\/738089\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">This article was originally posted at Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] Listen to the article 5 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. President &#8230; <a title=\"Trump orders NEPA changes, faster energy project permits\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/trump-orders-nepa-changes-faster-energy-project-permits\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Trump orders NEPA changes, faster energy project permits\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[457],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-construction-dive","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28757"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28757\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}