Page 187 - Inflation-Reduction-Act-Guidebook

Making Permitting of Energy Infrastructure

More Efficient and Effective

Achieving the President’s ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by no later than 2050 will require
building new transmission lines and clean energy projects at a pace and scale that is
unprecedented in U.S. history and securing the critical minerals and materials to power the
transition. To make this transformation happen, U.S. government agencies will need to conduct
efficient and effective environmental reviews that protect America’s air and water quality,
address climate change, conserve important landscapes, consider impacts to communities with
environmental justice concerns, and honor the nation’s Tribal trust responsibilities. Robust, early
public engagement and comment on proposed projects will be critical for building community
trust in and support for these projects and helping ensure timely delivery of permits.

In May 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration released a new Permitting Action Plan to
strengthen and accelerate federal permitting and environmental reviews. The Inflation Reduction
Act provides more than $1 billion to support environmental reviews at key agencies and White
House components. This includes:

• $350 million for the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, which the
Permitting Action Plan tasked with coordinating environmental review among federal
agencies and resolving issues consistent with the Administration’s climate, economic,
and equity goals. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law gave the Permitting Council new
authorities, including the ability to facilitate infrastructure projects proposed by Tribes on
Tribal lands, accelerate information sharing and troubleshooting to avoid and resolve
potential conflicts and bottlenecks before they emerge, and help agencies find new
resources as needed for permitting work.

• $30 million for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which oversees the
implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of federal environmental reviews to ensure that infrastructure
is well-designed, well-built, and meets the needs of communities. CEQ plans to add staff
to support federal agencies; bolster training for federal employees on how to conduct
efficient and effective environmental reviews; and develop information tools, guidance,
and techniques to increase efficiency and clarity and improve community engagement in
federal decisions.

• $625 million to multiple federal agencies to support efficient environmental reviews
that are timely, robust, and conducted through a transparent process that includes
community engagement. Agencies will use funds to hire and train personnel and develop
tools, techniques, and guidance to improve transparency, accountability, and public
engagement.

182 B U IL D IN G A C L E A N E N E R G Y E C O N O MY
G U ID E B O O K | J AN UARY 20 2 3 | VE RS I O N 2