Following President Trump’s Inauguration Day Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, the Interior Department today announced its decision to implement emergency permitting procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act to expedite the review and approval of projects including oil and gas leasing, siting, and production. To be eligible for emergency review procedures, project applicants are required to request emergency coverage and must have already submitted plans of operations, applications for permits to drill, or other applications requiring DOI approval.
Project applicants securing alternative arrangements for NEPA compliance will have environmental assessments reviewed within ~14 days and environmental impact statements reviewed in ~28 days.
Project applicants securing an expedited Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultation process will be subject to emergency consultation procedures upon notification to the Fish & Wildlife Service that alternative consultation procedures are being utilized.
Project applicants securing alternative procedures for Sec. 106 National Historical Preservation Act compliance will be subject to a 7-day comment opportunity for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, state and tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that may attach religious and cultural significance to historic properties likely to be affected by the proposed action.
In making the announcement, Interior Sec. Doug Burgum said that “[w]e are cutting through unnecessary delays to fast-track the development of American energy and critical minerals—resources that are essential to our economy, our military readiness, and our global competitiveness,” adding that “[b]y reducing a multi-year permitting process down to just 28 days, the Department will lead with urgency, resolve, and a clear focus on strengthening the nation’s energy independence.”