Natural Resources Committee Set to Limit Key Protections for Health, Environment, and Economy
Committee is set to mark up Chair Westerman’s proposal to gut NEPA, undermining key permitting protections for federal projects
WASHINGTON — An attempt to gut the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a federal law requiring a detailed environmental assessment of major energy and construction projects, could advance past the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources on Thursday. The bill, introduced by committee chair Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), would radically limit the scope of reviews by federal agencies, essentially eliminating government accountability when agencies fail to adequately consider the health, environmental, or economic impacts of their decisions.
In response, Meghan Pazik, senior policy advocate with Public Citizen’s Climate Program, issued the following statement:
“The proposal would fundamentally undermine key safeguards that protect frontline communities and local governments. The proposal codifies climate denial, and effectively silences the voices of those who will be directly impacted by any project sanctioned by the federal government.
“Fossil fuel and pipeline executives will be the overwhelming winners here as this legislation tips the scales in favor of approving projects without the necessary pause to allow for informed decision-making, putting private profits above the public interest. This rushed attempt by Congress to undermine key protections is irresponsible and the committee needs to press pause on this destructive bill.
“The Trump administration’s multiple, targeted attacks towards renewables, especially wind and solar, as well as cutoff of numerous Inflation Reduction Act programs suggest that this administration cannot be trusted.”
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