Central ND News

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) rolled out additional National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting requirements, drawing criticism from U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

In response to the announcement of the final rule, Senator Cramer, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, expressed his concerns. He stated, "The irony of President Biden touting efficiency while simultaneously saddling energy and infrastructure projects with more permitting requirements is rich." Senator Cramer emphasized his disapproval of the new rule, highlighting the challenges it poses to project proponents.

Furthermore, Senator Cramer criticized the administration's approach, stating, "Rather than making it easier for all these projects, they have chosen to pick winners and losers. This backwards decision needs to go." He, along with EPW Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and fellow EPW Republicans, had previously voiced opposition to the proposed rules in a letter to CEQ. The letter also urged the Biden administration to adhere to the bipartisan permitting reforms outlined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The White House's decision to introduce more stringent permitting requirements for infrastructure and energy projects has sparked debate and raised concerns among lawmakers like Senator Cramer. The implications of these new rules on the efficiency and progress of such projects remain a point of contention in the ongoing discourse surrounding environmental policy and project development.