WASHINGTON (Washington Insider Magazine) — On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced plans to reinstate three aspects of a significant environmental law. These provisions were rolled back by Donald Trump in the summer of 2020. The policies hold new construction accountable for their disruption of the environment.
The White House Council on Environmental Quality said it would reinstate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). According to Energy. Gov, the purpose of NEPA is to promote efforts that will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man. It requires government agencies to investigate the environmental impact of new infrastructures such as highways and pipelines. NEPA is considered to be one of the most notable environmental laws since its inception in 1970.
The reinstatement will take place over two phases, the first in which renews aspects that were dismantled. The second phase is opening up to broader involvement between the government and communities.
The Trump administration restricted NEPA in 2020 because it thought it stood in the way of completing necessary projects. It was part of a more extensive operation meant to “cut through red tape” and give way to the quicker approval of new construction. The decision was met with extreme criticism by Democratic leaders and environmentalists alike.
The new proposed changes mean that businesses will have to consider their impact on the environment when building. It’s an effort to minimize pollution, especially in cities already overtaken by smog. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva called it “a necessary first step to better protect communities from polluted air and water, especially those communities that are already overburdened by the cumulative effects of multiple pollution sources.”
Although met with overwhelming support from environmentalists, some Republicans have mentioned that the bill will halt the construction of new green infrastructure listed in Biden’s other plan. The NEPA proposal comes when Congress reviews one of the most significant infrastructure bills in history, the Build Back Better plan. Along with new construction, the Build Back Better agenda aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. Other aspects of the plan look to cut energy costs for American families and create a safer, greener economy.
The proposal also comes immediately after a disruption in the White House. Earlier this week, an environmental group blasted 5,600 emails to high-ranking Biden officials to gain more attention for their cause. Although President Biden has been criticized for not living up to his earlier environmental campaign promises, he has undoubtedly made the environment a greater priority than the last two administrations.
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) will hold two virtual meetings for public comment on the proposed rule changes later this month.