Hoosier State Today

Senators Braun, Ricketts, and Risch have introduced the Studying NEPA’s Impact on Projects Act, a legislative effort aimed at reducing bureaucratic obstacles in the federal permitting process. The proposed legislation mandates the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to provide an annual report to Congress. This report would include details on NEPA project litigation, paperwork impacts, lengths of Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and wait times for infrastructure projects.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is applicable when a project involves Federal lands, receives federal funding, or affects federally regulated air or water quality. NEPA reviews are often associated with delays due to lengthy wait times and ongoing litigation.

Representative Rudy Yakym has introduced this bill in the House of Representatives. Senator Mike Braun stated, “The current federal permitting process is overly confusing and covered in red tape, slowing down indispensable infrastructure projects. This legislation would allow us to see where the blocks are happening, and what we can do to make this process more efficient.”

Senator Pete Ricketts emphasized the financial burden of delays: “The federal environmental review process takes too long and costs taxpayers too much money. Having accurate data about where delays are coming from will help us streamline and simplify the permitting process. This bill will help us get shovels in dirt faster for key infrastructure projects, just like we did in Nebraska.”

Senator James Risch pointed out specific issues faced in Idaho: “Costly, burdensome litigation repeatedly stalls critical projects on Idaho’s public lands, leading to increased wildfire risk and higher energy costs. The Studying NEPA’s Impact on Projects Act will expose the full extent of these harmful delays and identify ways to reform the permitting process.”

Additionally, Senator Mike Crapo remarked on inefficiencies within government agencies: “Government red tape slows our progress and places unnecessary burdens on the American people. It is past-time we review the actions of agencies rife with inefficiencies, especially when responsible for hampering the progress of American energy projects.”

The bill has garnered support from several organizations including the Associated General Contractors of America, American Petroleum Institute, US Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and the National Electrical Contractors Association.