Recently, Ed Gabsewics, co-founder of the PA Association of Environmental Professionals wrote to U.S. Senator Bob Casey expressing his opposition to the proposed rollback of protections offered by the National Environmental Policy Act.

"For more than 50 years, this law has protected our communities and the environment from poorly planned projects that pollute the air we breathe and the water we drink.

"It has given people a voice in how to best use public lands that belong to all of us. And it has been an important tool for addressing climate change, which is already wreaking havoc on our national parks and communities.

"Erasing these crucial protections may be the single worst decision this administration has made for national parks, and as your constituent I'm counting on you to fight back."

In response to Gabsewics, Sen. Casey outlined why the National Environmental Policy Act is important and why he opposed the rollback.

"Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

“NEPA was signed into law in 1970. Under NEPA, federal agencies are required to evaluate how their proposed actions will affect the environment before making a decision. NEPA is utilized to evaluate major projects such as the construction of buildings, highways, airports or military complexes.

“The process requires federal agencies to prepare an Environmental Assessment, determining whether a federal action has the potential to cause significant environmental effects. If the effect is found to be significant, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process is undertaken to make a final decision.

“On January 10, 2020, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published a proposed rule to fundamentally reshape the implementation of NEPA.

“Among other provisions, this proposal would remove the requirement that federal agencies consider the cumulative effects of a proposed project, including the impacts related to climate change.

“Further, the proposal would limit the scope of NEPA reviews, expedite review processes and expand the role of NEPA applicants in developing their own EIS's.

“Considering the significant revisions this rule proposed to make to NEPA, on January 17, 2020, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the Chairman of CEQ to request an extension of the comment period for this proposal.

“I believe that it is critical that communities have access to information about the development of projects and have an opportunity to comment and participate in the regulatory process.

“Additionally, I joined my colleagues in sending several letters to the Administration to urge the reconsideration and ultimate withdrawal of the rule.

“Nonetheless, on July 15, 2020, CEQ finalized the NEPA rule. For more information on this proposal, I encourage you to visit this website.

“I strongly oppose the Trump Administration's final rule to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act.

“This rule is not a targeted approach to addressing specific problems. Rather, this proposal would weaken one of our Nation's bedrock environmental laws that provides critical protections for our air, water and public lands.

“Even more, this rule will exacerbate harmful environmental impacts on low-income communities, communities of color and indigenous communities, which are already disproportionally exposed to environmental hazards.

“As the Administration crafts its environmental agenda, please be assured I will continue to oppose efforts to indiscriminately overturn or discourage the issuance of regulations intended to protect our environment.

“Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.”

For more information, visit Senator Casey’s website.

Resource Link:

The Nature Conservancy: 5 Things To Know About NEPA Rule Changes

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[Posted: August 15, 2020]

8/17/2020