DOT Finally Kills Four-Year-Old Environmental Rule Nobody Wanted
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Transportation is officially canceling its 2020 plan to change how it checks environmental impacts for projects. This means the old rules from 1979 stay in place for now, so anyone involved in transportation projects can keep using the familiar process. No new costs or deadlines are coming from this withdrawal, keeping things steady for agencies and the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
DOT NEPA Rule Withdrawal; Status Quo
On January 17, 2025, the Department of Transportation withdrew its November 23, 2020 proposed rule to amend NEPA procedures, so the DOT Order 5610.1C (originally published in 1979) remains in effect. The withdrawal keeps the existing, familiar environmental-review process for transportation projects and the agency says no new costs or deadlines are created by this action.
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