DOE Streamlines Environmental Reviews with New Guidance
Published Date: 7/3/2025
Rule
Summary
The Department of Energy is updating its rules to make environmental reviews simpler and clearer by moving most procedures to a separate guidance document. This change mainly affects DOE staff and anyone involved in DOE projects, speeding up routine actions and emergencies without extra paperwork. The new rules start right away and aim to save time and money by cutting red tape.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Most NEPA Rules Moved Out of CFR
DOE is moving most of its NEPA implementing procedures out of the Code of Federal Regulations and into a separate DOE procedural guidance document. This change affects DOE staff and people involved in DOE projects and is intended to speed up routine actions and emergencies and reduce paperwork.
Appendix A: Actions Exempt from NEPA Review
DOE revised 10 CFR part 1021 so appendix A now lists administrative and routine actions that do not require NEPA review. Appendix A (formerly categorical exclusions) will govern which routine DOE actions are excepted from NEPA review.
NEPA Procedures Removed From Presidential Permit Rules
DOE is revising 10 CFR part 205, subpart W, to remove NEPA procedures from its Presidential permit regulations. Applicants or participants in Presidential permit processes will no longer find those NEPA procedures in subpart W of 10 CFR part 205.
Provision for Emergency Circumstances
DOE revised 10 CFR part 1021 to include a provision for emergency circumstances so that emergency actions can proceed without extra NEPA paperwork. The rule states this will speed responses in emergency situations.
Categorical Exclusions Kept in Appendix B
DOE will retain its existing categorical exclusions in appendix B of 10 CFR part 1021 while moving other procedures to guidance. These categorical exclusions remain part of the CFR as the set of actions excluded from detailed NEPA review.
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