- A coalition of 22 states, led by West Virginia AG JB McCuskey, are supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to rewrite how the agency handles the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews. Since 1970, NEPA has required that before the federal government approve or fund a major infrastructure project it must study and document the environmental impacts first.
- The coalition states that NEPA has caused years-long reviews that have entangled states, industries, and everyday citizens with extensive reports and endless litigation risk that have delayed critical infrastructure projects. The States urge that Congress meant for NEPA to execute its objectives through modest procedural requirements but after enactment special interest groups weaponized NEPA to challenged projects they opposed.
- The states are urging the EPA’s proposed rule requires firm deadlines, page limits, and streamlined categorial exclusions so important projects can move forward more efficiently. The proposed update to EPA’s procedures for implementing NEPA will result in the environmental review process being faster and more predictable without any accountability lost.