House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman unveiled draft legislation to overhaul the National Environmental Policy Act, part of the ongoing debate in Congress on energy project permitting.
The Arkansas Republican has been negotiating changes to NEPA with Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), but Thursday’s discussion draft appears to be a Republican-only effort. Westerman plans to hold a hearing next week.
The legislation would make clear that NEPA forces agencies to consider the environmental impact of projects but doesn’t dictate results. It would also limit the scope of reviews.
That includes requiring agencies to only consider environmental impacts within the lead agency’s jurisdiction and control. The plan would also place restrictions on new scientific research, according to a fact sheet.
