On April 23, 2025, the Department of the Interior released “alternative arrangements for NEPA compliance,” outlining a novel process for certain energy projects to circumvent existing environmental review procedures consistent with President Trump’s executive order declaring a national energy emergency. Interior did not seek public comment on the new procedures.
According to Interior, energy projects that identify, lease, produce, refine, or general crude oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, and critical minerals can apply for “alternative arrangements” for NEPA compliance.
Under these new procedures, the agency will publish environmental reviews of proposed projects under an extremely accelerated timeline with limited public comment. A final environmental assessment (EA) or finding of no significant impact (FONSI) will be published within 14 days without seeking public comment, and an environmental impact statement (EIS) will be published within 28 days after a discretionary comment period.
Under normal operating procedures, EAs must be published within one year, and EISs within two years. Previous NEPA rules also provided for extensive public engagement, including public comment opportunities on proposed EAs and EISs.
See more on Interior’s NEPA rules, and other changes to NEPA implementation.