The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) on January 10, 2020 published a Notice of proposed rulemaking to update its regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). CEQ has not comprehensively updated its regulations since their promulgation in 1978. Under this proposed rule, regulations would be modernized and clarified to facilitate more efficient, effective, and timely NEPA reviews by Federal agencies in connection with proposals for agency action. The proposed amendments would advance the original goals of the CEQ regulations to reduce paperwork and delays, and promote better decisions consistent with the national environmental policy established in section 101 of NEPA. If finalized, the proposed rule would comprehensively update and substantially revise the 1978 regulations.
S&S is following this rule making and is very familiar with the proposed changes. CEQ invites comments on the proposed revisions and must receive comments by March 10, 2020. The Notice of proposed rulemaking is available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-01-10/pdf/2019-28106.pdf