Jan 9, 2020 IPAA Pleased with Effort to Modernize National Environmental Policy Act Regulations
Administration tackling substantial reform “to return the NEPA process to original intent and scope of law,” depart from “one-size-fits all” approach
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representing the independent producers that develop 91 percent of America’s oil and natural gas wells, Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Political Affairs Dan Naatz issued the following statement on the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) announcement of reforms to modernize the regulations on implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA):
“IPAA is pleased that the Administration continues to tackle substantial projects, such as their effort to return the NEPA process to the original intent and scope of the law. Although IPAA and our members recognize the important role NEPA plays in public land policy, for many years we have seen the law being abused by environmentalists with extreme agendas to delay and halt various multiple-use activities on federal lands, including oil and gas production. The NEPA process was established over forty years ago to ensure an appropriate level of environmental protection is achieved, however, there are many projects that can move forward with the flexibility granted through an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. Just as the geology, hydrology, and topography of our federal lands differ from state to state, so too should the NEPA process become more project-based rather than one-size-fits-all.”
In late 2019, IPAA joined 33 other organizations in writing a letter to CEQ Chair Mary Neumayr urging the Council to issue updates to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations to modernize the Federal environmental review and permitting process with the goal of increasing infrastructure investment and project development in a manner that strengthens our economy and enhances environmental stewardship.
In August 2018, IPAA submitted comments to CEQ regarding the Council’s request for updates to the regulations for implementing procedural provisions of NEPA.
