Circuit court of appeals already ruled the CEQ had no authority to regulate.
President Donald Trump’s administration announced the rescission of federal regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The law requires environmental reviews before approving large-scale infrastructure projects within the United States. While NEPA was passed by Congress in 1978, the law has few regulations and has relied on the decisions of the executive branch to manage the required reviews.
The White House memo directed federal agencies to “continue to follow their existing practices and procedures” while reviewing their policies over the next 12 months. The memo instructed agencies to immediately abandon “cumulative effects” reviews, which seek to estimate how a potential project could impact its local environment over time, as well as “environmental justice analysis” practices, which assess projects for any additional pollution to disadvantaged communities.
NEPA policies were struck down by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, prior to President Trump’s inauguration. The court decided in November 2024 that the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations were void because it did not have rulemaking authority.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Trump and his advisors as they seek to improve the nation’s infrastructure.
- For federal judges to be discerning regarding the powers and authority of various government agencies.
Sources: The Hill, JD Supra
