White House starts unwinding permitting rules

White House Starts Unwinding Environmental Permitting Rules

The White House is moving quickly to undo the rules that clarify how environmental permits are issued for federal projects such as pipelines, highways, and transmission lines.

Speed Up Permitting: The Council on Environmental Quality submitted an interim final rule titled “Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations” Sunday, which circumvents the typical notice and comment process, and can take effect immediately. The rule change aims to speed up permitting, but opponents argue it will accelerate climate change, harm communities, and lead to more litigation.

Interim final rules can be challenged in ...