Proposed Rule Would Reinstate Rigorous Environmental Reviews of Federal Projects

On Sept. 27, 2023, The Pew Charitable Trusts submitted comments to the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regarding proposed revisions to its regulations for implementing provisions in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Pew applauded the CEQ for revisiting a 2020 rule that weakened the agency’s enforcement and for not only reinstating NEPA’s original intent, but also enhancing oversight of contemporary issues such as climate change and environmental justice.

And although the comments expressed support for the overall direction of the Phase 2 Proposed Regulations, Pew also urged caution on certain provisions.