🌍Army NEPA Regulations Rescinded
This interim final rule rescinds the Department of the Army regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), because the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) NEPA regulations, which they were meant to supplement, have been rescinded, and because the DoD is promulgating Department-wide NEPA procedures that will guide the Army's NEPA process. In addition, this interim final rule requests comments on this action and related matters.
Learn More🌱Update on NEPA Regulations and Compliance Requirements
The Department of the Interior (Department or DOI) is partially rescinding and making necessary targeted updates to its remaining regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which were promulgated to "supplement" now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations. Mindful that the Supreme Court recently clarified NEPA is a "purely procedural statute," DOI will henceforth maintain the remainder of its NEPA procedures--which apply only to DOI's internal processes--in a Handbook separate from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This interim final rule requests comments on this action and related matters to inform DOI's decision-making.
Learn More🌱USDA Interim Final Rule on NEPA Regulations Revisions
This interim final rule modifies the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and removes various USDA agency regulations for implementing NEPA. USDA is taking this action in response to the Council on Environmental Quality's rescission of its NEPA implementing regulations (which USDA's NEPA regulations were designed to supplement), statutory changes to NEPA, executive orders, and case law. Comments are voluntarily requested on this action to inform USDA's decision-making.
Learn More🚧NEPA Regulation Revisions and Their Impact on Infrastructure Projects
FHWA, FRA, and FTA are publishing this interim final rule (IFR) to modify the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that apply to all three agencies to be consistent with the removal of regulations previously issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the amendments to NEPA included in the section of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 known as the Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act of 2023, and amendments regarding efficient environmental reviews included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This rule will become effective immediately while the agencies seek comment on what further changes may be appropriate.
Learn More⚡DOE Revises NEPA Procedures
This interim final rule substantially revises Department of Energy's (DOE) regulations containing its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures, which were promulgated to supplement now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality regulations. Mindful that the Supreme Court recently clarified NEPA is a "purely procedural statute," DOE will henceforth maintain the remainder of its procedures in a procedural guidance document separate from the Code of Federal Regulations (DOE NEPA implementing procedures). Thus, DOE is revising 10 CFR part 1021 to contain only administrative and routine actions excepted from NEPA review in appendix A, its existing categorical exclusions in appendix B, related requirements, and a provision for emergency circumstances. DOE is revising appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 to align with DOE's new NEPA implementing procedures that it is publishing separate from the Code of Federal Regulations. Appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 (formerly categorical exclusions) are now administrative and routine actions that do not require NEPA review. DOE is also revising 10 CFR part 205, subpart W, to remove the NEPA procedures from its Presidential permit regulations.
Learn More🌍Removal of Environmental Impact Analysis Process Regulations Overview
The DAF is rescinding its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations because the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) NEPA regulations, which they were meant to supplement, have been rescinded, and because the DoD is promulgating Department-wide NEPA procedures that will guide DAF's NEPA process.
Learn More🌱Overview of Amendments to Genetically Engineered Organism Regulations
On December 2, 2024, a Federal court vacated the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) final rule issued on May 18, 2020 (the May 2020 final rule) that revised APHIS' regulations governing the movement of certain genetically modified organisms and was issued under the authority of the Plant Protection Act. APHIS is therefore amending the CFR to conform the CFR to the Federal Court's vacatur of that rule. The Court's vacatur was effective December 2, 2024, and had the legal effect of vacating the May 2020 final rule in its entirety and restoring the legal effect of the pre-May 2020 regulations. These technical conforming amendments revise the CFR to reflect the court's vacatur of the May 2020 final rule.
Learn More🌊Amendments to Rename Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is amending its regulations that implement the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to revise language reading "Gulf of Mexico" or the associated acronym "GOM" to read "Gulf of America" or the associated acronym "GOA." Executive Order 14172 directs agencies to make this change. This final rule ensures that these regulations comply with this order.
Learn More🐚Removal of Marine Archaeology Protection Rule
Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress passed, and the President signed, a joint resolution disapproving the final "Protection of Marine Archaeology Resources" rule published by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on September 3, 2024. That rule required lessees and operators to submit an archaeological report with any oil and gas exploration or development plan they submit to BOEM for approval of proposed activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Under the joint resolution and by operation of the Congressional Review Act, the "Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources" rule has no force or effect.
Learn More🌍Notice of Environmental Impact Statements by the EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the availability of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for various projects, including LNG and mining initiatives. The public is invited to comment on these statements, which evaluate significant environmental effects and compliance with federal regulations. The notice details associated deadlines and contact information for relevant inquiries.
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