#nepa

#nepa

The House of Representatives cleared the way for a massive overhaul of the federal environmental review process last Thursday, despite last-minute changes that led clean energy groups and moderate Democrats to pull their support. The Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, or SPEED Act, overcame opposition from environmentalists and many Democrats who oppose the bill's sweeping changes to a bedrock environmental law.

The bipartisan bill would exempt new categories of development under the HOME program from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). These categories include the following: New construction and rehabilitation projects of 15 units or fewer. New construction on infill lots. Acquisition of real property for affordable housing. The legislation would also limit duplicative environmental reviews in the HOME program and make other changes to reduce burdensome red tape associated with NEPA.

Our vision here is to use and develop AI tools and technologies to streamline environmental review and the permitting process,