Senators Mark Kelly and John Curtis introduced the Studying National Environmental Policy Act’s Impact on Projects Act, which would require the Council on Environmental Quality to publish an annual report on the costs, timelines, and delays of reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. The legislation aims to provide data on the review process for federal projects, including transportation and infrastructure, according to the Office of the Arizona Senator.
Senator Kelly stated, “When projects to fix roads, build homes, or expand clean energy get delayed for years, Arizonans pay the price. We need to identify unnecessary delays so we can cut red tape while protecting clean air and clean water.” Senator Curtis said, "Utahns care deeply about protecting the land they have lived on for generations and are frustrated by the antiquated and burdensome federal environmental review process they face in doing so." National Environmental Policy Act, enacted in 1969, requires environmental assessments for major federal projects but has been criticized for delays and legal challenges. The government does not currently track lawsuits, costs, or timelines related to National Environmental Policy Act reviews. The Studying National Environmental Policy Act’s Impact on Projects Act proposes annual reports to provide data on the law’s effects, as reported by the Office of the Arizona Senator.
The bill mandates an annual Council on Environmental Quality report documenting data on environmental assessments and statements, costs incurred by agencies and applicants, and National Environmental Policy Act-related litigation, including court outcomes and settlements. The report aims to provide Congress, agencies, and the public with insights into National Environmental Policy Act implementation, identifying factors that contribute to delays and costs in federal infrastructure projects, as stated by the Office of the Arizona Senator.
