Finalize NEPA Rule and Ensure Consistency, ARTBA Tells Administration

What happened: ARTBA and industry allies March 27 urged the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to finalize National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures and take an active advisory role as agencies revise their environmental review regulations.

Why it matters: Streamlined and consistent reviews are critical for ARTBA members to avoid costly delays and keep transportation projects moving forward. The coalition stressed the need for NEPA procedures that limit environmental reviews to two years and limit environmental impact statements to between 150 to 300 pages. Other areas ARTBA would like to see clarified or addressed: defining what qualifies as a “major federal action;” expanded use of categorical exclusions; and focused environmental analysis limited to effects within an agency’s statutory control.

What’s next: CEQ will review the comments and determine whether to finalize the rule as issued or make changes. ARTBA will monitor developments. Prianka Sharma is the contact.