Washington, D.C.—
In a move hailed by industry groups and criticized by environmental advocates, the U.S. Department of the Interior on July 3 enacted an interim rule removing dozens of legacy regulations tied to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The changes, which eliminate outdated provisions set by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), are part of a broader federal effort to streamline environmental reviews for infrastructure and energy projects.
The newly effective rule is intended to reduce delays, increase efficiency, and simplify permitting procedures for projects that receive federal funding or require federal approval. While officials say the reform is technical in nature, its implications could be sweeping — especially for large-scale developments such as pipelines, highways, solar farms, and mining operations.
A Shift Toward Faster Project Approvals
The Interior Department says the rule reflects updated guidance and standards adopted in recent years, and aligns NEPA implementation with current agency procedures. In practice, it removes requirements that many developers and federal agencies had long viewed as burdensome or duplicative.
“These revisions eliminate outdated mandates that no longer serve the public or the environment,” said Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis. “We’re cutting through the red tape while maintaining our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.”
The rule also narrows the scope of federal reviews in certain cases — potentially reducing the time it takes to move projects from planning to groundbreaking.
Industry Cheers, Advocates Push Back
The reaction from business and construction groups was swift and supportive. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Home Builders both praised the move as a long-overdue step toward modernizing federal permitting processes.
“Overly complex environmental reviews have slowed down critical infrastructure for decades,” said Jay Timmons, President of the National Association of Manufacturers. “This rule will allow America to build again — cleaner, faster, and smarter.”
But environmental organizations are sounding the alarm. Critics argue that the rollback opens the door to weakened oversight and shortcuts in reviewing the environmental and community impacts of major developments.
“This is not efficiency — it’s evasion,” said Maya Wiggins of EarthWatch USA. “NEPA was designed to give communities a voice and to ensure that environmental consequences are fully considered. Gutted rules mean more pollution and fewer protections.”
Background: NEPA and the CEQ
Passed in 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is often called the “Magna Carta” of U.S. environmental law. It requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their actions before making decisions. Over the decades, layers of guidance, case law, and CEQ regulations have shaped how NEPA is implemented.
The Council on Environmental Quality, housed within the Executive Office of the President, is tasked with coordinating federal environmental efforts. The rules rescinded on July 3 date back to earlier versions of CEQ guidance that the Department of the Interior now considers outdated or superseded.
What’s Next?
The interim rule takes immediate effect but will be subject to a public comment period, during which stakeholders can weigh in on its merits and consequences. The Interior Department has signaled that further revisions could follow depending on feedback.
While the administration maintains the changes will not compromise environmental protection, watchdogs are preparing legal challenges. Some legal analysts note that the streamlined rules could clash with more rigorous requirements in individual states or tribes that have adopted their own NEPA-like policies.
For now, developers and federal agencies will navigate a faster, simpler environmental review landscape — at least until the courts or a future administration weigh in.
