The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, requires federal agencies to assess any significant environmental impacts a federal infrastructure project may have before it can begin. This critical law acts as a safety net, a vital backstop to protect communities from uninformed decisions and unsafe environmental conditions.
Unfortunately, NEPA regulations that had been in place for decades were weakened by the previous administration, leaving countless communities at increased risk to the dangers of pollution.
The White House Council on Environmental Quality, which provides guidance and interpretations of NEPA’s requirements to all federal agencies, recently issued a proposed rule that would restore certainty, efficiency, transparency, and meaningful public engagement in federal decision making under NEPA.
In order to meet our climate goals and rapidly transition off of fossil fuels, we must efficiently bring a huge amount of new clean energy sources and transmission projects online. The proposed updates to the NEPA process will help ensure that we can do that while minimizing harm to vulnerable communities and wildlife.
That is why we are urging the Biden Administration to finalize the strongest possible rule as soon as possible and to work with partners to ensure that NEPA continues to serve as a bridge, not a barrier, to a clean economy and economic future.
Will you join us in support of this crucial environmental protection?
