ICYMI: “The Trump Administration Is Moving To Fix a Broken Permitting System”

For too long, an environmental statute known as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has been weaponized to stall growth in the United States.

But there is good news.

In today's Newsweek, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Katherine Scarlett highlights incredible work that has taken place in this Administration to fix the environmental review and permitting process.

A historic deregulation effort, led by President Donald J. Trump, in coordination with CEQ, has created a path for Federal agencies to accomplish permitting reform at record speed- ensuring America is not left behind in the global race to buildout critical infrastructure.

Chairman Scarlett writes:

"The Trump administration, Congress, and the Supreme Court have all acted to cut through the mess known as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)."

"President Trump moved decisively to address the NEPA quagmire, beginning with his Day One Unleashing American EnergyExecutive Order that directed the CEQ to expedite and simplify the permitting process."

As Chairman Scarlett put it in today's opinion piece, the President's vision to further modernize the permitting process and rapidly deregulate so we can start building now reflects a simple truth: "…while China breaks ground on critical infrastructure, the U.S. can't be stuck doing paperwork. To this end, the administration is tirelessly working on other areas to cut red tape while fostering exceptional stewardship of the environment."

Read the full op-ed here.