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Natural resources

House Committee on Natural Resources Holds Hearing on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Reforms

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee oversight hearing on issues related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and potential reforms to streamline the federal permitting process. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) expressed concerns that the current permitting process is hindering critical projects essential to America's economic competitiveness, energy security, and national security. The hearing aimed to examine the flaws in the existing permitting process and propose solutions to address these issues. NEPA is a procedural statute that has evolved into a cumbersome and lengthy process, increasing costs and permitting timelines for various projects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on NEPA reforms to streamline the federal permitting process.
  • Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) stated that the current permitting process is broken and hinders critical projects essential to America's economic competitiveness, energy security, and national security.
  • NEPA is a procedural statute that has evolved into a cumbersome and lengthy process, increasing costs and permitting timelines for various projects.
  • The statute applies to all major federal actions, including construction of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, highways, ports, irrigation systems, transmission lines, conventional and renewable energy projects, broadband, and water infrastructure.
  • NEPA-related litigation on environmental impact statements takes an average of 4.2 years to resolve.
  • Between 2013 and 2022, circuit courts heard approximately 39 NEPA appeals cases per year, a 56% increase over the rate from 2001-2015.
  • Moderate NEPA reforms were secured in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, but more action is needed to provide developers and federal agencies with certainty.
  • Streamlining the permitting process can ensure vital projects for America's energy security, national security, and infrastructure will move forward quickly and responsibly.

Statistics:

  • NEPA-related litigation on environmental impact statements takes an average of 4.2 years to resolve.
  • Between 2013 and 2022, circuit courts heard approximately 39 NEPA appeals cases per year.
  • The rate of NEPA appeals cases increased by 56% from 2001-2015 to 2013-2022.
  • NEPA is the most frequently litigated environmental statute.

Sources:

  • U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources press release
  • Statement by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)

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