Trump moves to roll back environmental rules blamed for holding up construction

Published February 18, 2025 2:54pm ET



The Trump administration is swiftly moving to reform environmental reviews required by federal law in an effort to expedite permitting and approvals for energy projects, infrastructure upgrades, and more.

Over the weekend, the Council on Environmental Quality submitted an interim final rule titled “Removal of National Environmental Policy Act,” which seemingly would undo all current regulations under the bedrock environmental law. In this form, the rule bypasses the traditional notice and comment period, allowing for it to take immediate effect.

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