Council on Environmental Quality 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On December 18, 2024, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued guidance in a memorandum to the heads of Federal departments and agencies (agencies) to assist agencies with compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) during emergencies. The CEQ regulations implementing NEPA provide for alternative arrangements during emergencies when an agency's action is likely to have significant effects and would require preparation of an environmental impact statement. This guidance also addresses compliance with NEPA when the action is unlikely to have significant effects and might require preparation of an environmental assessment or application of a categorical exclusion.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is finalizing its "Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule" to revise its regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including the recent amendments to NEPA in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. CEQ is making these revisions to provide for an effective environmental review process; ensure full and fair public engagement; enhance efficiency and regulatory certainty; and promote sound Federal agency decision making that is grounded in science, including consideration of relevant environmental, climate change, and environmental justice effects. These changes are grounded in NEPA's statutory text and purpose, including making decisions informed by science; CEQ's extensive experience implementing NEPA; CEQ's perspective on how NEPA can best inform agency decision making; longstanding Federal agency experience and practice; and case law interpreting NEPA's requirements.