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Bill

HR 676

To exempt Federal actions related to energy and mineral activities on certain Federal lands from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

119th Congress Introduced by Harriet Hageman

Bill exempts federal energy and mineral activities on certain public lands from environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, accelerating project approvals.

Introduced in House
0
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Bill Summary · HR 676

Legislative bill overview

HR 676 would exempt federal actions related to energy and mineral development activities on certain federal lands from compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA currently requires federal agencies to prepare environmental assessments and environmental impact statements before approving projects. This bill would remove that requirement for specified energy and mineral activities.

Why is this important

NEPA compliance significantly affects the timeline and cost of energy and mineral projects on federal lands, often adding months or years to project approval. The exemption would substantially accelerate development of oil, gas, mining, and other extractive activities on public lands. This directly impacts the pace of resource extraction, federal revenue from leasing, and environmental review processes that currently inform decision-making.

Potential points of contention

  • Environmental review loss: Eliminating NEPA requirements removes mandatory analysis of air quality, water impacts, wildlife habitat effects, and cumulative environmental consequences that currently inform agency decisions
  • Definition scope: The bill references "certain Federal lands" without clearly specifying which lands qualify, creating ambiguity about the exemption's actual reach
  • Public participation: NEPA processes include public comment periods; exemption would reduce opportunities for stakeholder input on projects affecting public resources
  • Precedent concern: Carving out categorical exemptions from NEPA could establish a template for exempting other activity types from environmental review

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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