President Donald Trump has issued a directive instructing federal agencies to modernize and streamline environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure and energy projects. The initiative aims to reduce delays by transitioning from paper-based systems to fully digital platforms, particularly for reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The memorandum outlines a wide range of goals, including eliminating redundant data submissions, improving interagency coordination, and increasing the transparency of permitting timelines. The plan is designed to accelerate project approvals for roads, bridges, power plants, factories, and similar developments without compromising review quality.

Under the directive, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must deliver a Permitting Technology Action Plan within 45 days. This plan will establish data standards, software requirements, and a roadmap for building an interconnected permitting system across agencies. Within 90 days of the plan’s release, agencies will begin implementation.

The order also calls for the creation of a Permitting Innovation Center to design and test new tools and systems that support digital permitting and environmental review.

Source: eenews.net and whitehouse.gov