The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed regulatory amendments that implement congressional mandates in the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 to reduce methane emissions from new and existing gas transmission lines, distribution pipelines, regulated gas gathering pipelines, underground natural gas storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proposed to amend and update its regulations for implementing NEPA to better align with its current and near future actions, adjust the level of NEPA review and documentation required for certain actions, and provide more concise descriptions of NASA actions, as well as incorporate updates to existing categorical exclusions.
More severe storms and rising sea levels resulting from the changing climate pose a threat to ecosystems along the U.S. coast. These include beaches, dunes, wetlands, and marshes, which provide significant environmental, recreational, and economic benefits. Practices to sustain these ecosystems are available, but are not well understood, face legal and financial obstacles, and have not been widely implemented. On January 25, 2023, the Environmental Law Institute hosted a panel of experts who explored measures and practices for sustaining beaches and dunes in the face of a changing climate.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced its intent to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP), and seeks comment on specified conservation practice standards in the NHCP.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) proposed to follow the First Responder Network Authority’s NEPA procedures on an interim basis with modifications to account for NTIA’s internal organization and establish 33 categorical exclusions in compliance with NEPA, the CEQ regulations, and other related authorities.
The global transition to a carbon-neutral economy will bring about a surging demand for land and for minerals required in renewable energy technologies. It brings the threat of conflict between those seeking to develop these resources and those who live on the lands and risk displacement, loss of livelihood, and environmental contamination. These risks are particularly acute in Sub-Saharan Africa, though many Sub-Saharan countries have adopted legislation to prevent and peacefully resolve disputes.
The Federal Highway Administration received, reviewed, and issued a determination of complete, for a renewal package from the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities requesting renewed participation in the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program, which allows the Administration to assign, and states to assume, responsibilities under NEPA, and all or part of the Administration’s responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, or other actions required under any federal environmental law with respect to one or more federal highway projects within the state.
CEQ issued interim guidance to assist agencies in analyzing greenhouse gas and climate change effects of their proposed actions under NEPA.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that it intends to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices, and notified the public of the opportunity to provide comments on specified conservation practice standards in the handbook.
FERC proposed revisions to its regulations for engineering and design materials for liquefied natural gas facilities related to potential impacts caused by natural hazards.