Jessica King, jessica.king@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Biden Administration’s Council on Environmental Quality introduced interim greenhouse gas emissions guidance for environmental reviews of major federal projects under the National Environmental Policy Act, taking steps to ensure federal projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut red tape for clean energy and infrastructure projects while increasing consultation with impacted communities.
The Interim National Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change takes several steps to improve the permitting process for clean energy and other infrastructure projects, including by clarifying best practices for analyzing greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts in NEPA reviews, streamlining review for some renewable energy projects, and recommending federal agencies mitigate harmful greenhouse gas emissions to the greatest extent possible. The guidance also requires agencies to more meaningfully engage with communities impacted by projects and incorporate environmental justice considerations into climate-related analysis.
The guidance replaces a similar policy issued by the Council on Environmental Quality in 2016, which was rescinded by the Trump Administration. The interim guidance is available for public comment until March 10, 2023.
In response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce released the following statement:
“We applaud the Biden Administration for releasing this new guidance, which helps federal agencies make informed decisions about critical projects, and requires agencies to disclose climate impacts to the public in terms they can understand, driven by the reality of climate change, the devastating impacts of greenhouse house pollution, and the concerns of impacted communities.
“Today’s announcement also restores transparency and scientific integrity to environmental reviews, a welcome change after the Trump Administration spent years undermining even the most basic scientific processes. This comprehensive guidance ensures the federal government, across all agencies, will account for the full impact of harmful, destabilizing greenhouse gasses.
“The Biden Administration’s actions today build upon their continued efforts to restore scientific integrity and clarity to NEPA regulations, and we look forward to receiving further guidance that strengthens our bedrock environmental laws, incorporates climate impacts into decision making, and protects communities.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.