Multiple NEPA Rules Sent to OMB – 6-9-25

Yesterday, the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that they had received seven rulemakings related to changes in the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act. Those rulemakings include:

• FHWA - Categorical Exclusions and Environmental Procedure (2125-AF80),

• Corps of Engineers - Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act for Regulatory Program (0710-AB20),

• Corps of Engineers - Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act Under the Civil Works Program (0710-AB28),

• FERC - National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (1902-AG30),

• Air Force - National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures; Proposed Department of the Air Force (DAF)'s Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) (0701-AA97),

• Army - Environmental Analysis of Army Actions (0702-AB02), and

• Navy - Policies and Responsibilities for Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act Within the Department of the Navy (0703-AB31).

Interestingly, all of these rulemakings (with the exception of the one from FERC, that is why there is no link to that RIN) were listed in the Fall 2024 Unified Agenda. Some of them have been under consideration since as far back as 2018. Obviously, correcting the NEPA implementation is a high priority goal of President Russel Vought (er… Donald Trump). I expect relatively quick action by OIRA on these proposals.

I do not expect to cover any of these NEPA rules in any detail in this blog. I do intend to announce their publication (if and when) in the appropriate Short Takes post.