H.R.573 - Studying NEPA’s Impact on Projects Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 573, the "Studying NEPA's Impact on Projects Act," mandates the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to publish an annual report on environmental reviews and litigation related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report would detail causes of action alleging NEPA non-compliance, the length and cost of environmental impact statements (EIS) and environmental assessments (EA), and the timelines for completing environmental reviews. The bill aims to provide greater transparency and data regarding the implementation and impact of NEPA on various projects.
Expected Effects
The bill's primary effect would be increased oversight and data collection regarding NEPA's implementation. This could lead to a better understanding of NEPA's impact on project timelines and costs. The data collected could potentially inform future policy decisions related to environmental reviews and project development.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Transparency: Public access to data on NEPA-related litigation and environmental review processes.
- Data-Driven Policymaking: Provides information for Congress and agencies to make informed decisions about NEPA implementation.
- Identification of Inefficiencies: Highlights potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement in the environmental review process.
- Project Sponsor Insights: Project sponsors can better understand the timelines and costs associated with environmental reviews.
- Informed Public Discourse: The public gains a clearer picture of NEPA's impact on project development and environmental protection.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Administrative Burden: CEQ would face additional workload and resource demands to compile and publish the annual report.
- Potential for Misinterpretation: Data on litigation and project timelines could be misinterpreted or used to unfairly criticize NEPA.
- Limited Scope: The report focuses primarily on quantitative data and may not capture the full complexity of environmental reviews.
- Cost to Taxpayers: The cost of preparing the report could be a burden on taxpayers.
- Potential for Delay: The additional reporting requirements could delay projects.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the US Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 1, which grants legislative powers to Congress. Congress has the authority to oversee the implementation of laws like NEPA and to request information from executive agencies like the CEQ. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).