Trump offers expedited environmental approvals to companies investing $1B in US
President-elect Trump indicated on Tuesday that he’ll give expedited approvals to projects that invest at least $1 billion into the U.S. economy.
“Any person or company investing ONE BILLION DOLLARS, OR MORE, in the United States of America, will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“GET READY TO ROCK!!!” he added.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) — one of the nation’s bedrock environmental laws — requires federal agencies to conduct environmental reviews before taking actions such as approving energy production and approving infrastructure projects like pipelines and highways.
Many companies and corporate lobby groups have long complained about the length of such reviews, saying they can create lengthy and expensive delays.
William Buzbee, a law professor at Georgetown University, told The Hill in an email that the president can ask agencies to "act with alacrity for particular high priority actions."
However, he said that these asks will "at most just cue up some prioritized actions, with the agencies still required to follow NEPA's mandates and process."
He said that the law does not provide a "statutory fast track for big investments in big projects."
"In fact, the bigger the effects, the more searching and careful agencies must be if they hope to surmount later judicial review," he wrote.
Trump’s post comes the same day that the Supreme Court heard arguments over whether to constrain NEPA’s scope to exclude certain indirect environmental impacts, though it’s not clear whether the post was related to the case.
Environmental activists, meanwhile, recoiled at Trump's plan.
“Corporate polluters cannot bribe their way to endangering our communities and our clean air and water," said Mahyar Sorour, director of beyond fossil fuels policy at the Sierra Club, in a statement.
"We will keep fighting to defend our bedrock environmental protections and ensure they apply to everyone, not just those who can’t afford Trump’s bribe," Sorour added.
Updated at 4:04 pm ET.
-
Here’s what to make of Trump’s promise of expedited permits for big investments
Analysts have been assessing President-elect Donald Trump’s promise — which called out environmental permits in particular — and they’re concluding that while he’s sending a clear signal, the ...MarketWatch - 5h -
Trump Offers Confusing Clues on Syria
The president-elect faces hard choices about the country’s post-Assad future. His vows not to get involved might be hard to keep.The New York Times - 1d -
Trump promises 'fully expedited' permits for investors of $1 billion-plus in U.S.
The Truth Social post signals Trump's aim to deregulate federal agencies, undo Biden-era environmental rules, and attract foreign investment.CNBC - 1d -
Trump promises ‘fully expedited approvals and permits’ to billionaire investors in the US – live
President-elect also promises faster environmental approvals without giving further details in latest sign of billionaire-friendly policies. Art Arthur, a resident fellow at the anti-immigration ...The Guardian - 1d -
Trump vows to speed up permits for anyone investing $1bn in the US
President-elect pledges to loosen environmental rules for big developersFinancial Times - 1d -
US companies lawyer up in preparation for Trump’s trade wars
Legal and accounting firms expect a fee bonanza from efforts to avoid expected tariffs and export controlsFinancial Times - 2d -
Biden bars new 'forever chemicals' from expedited approval
The Biden administration on Wednesday took a step toward preventing dangerous “forever chemicals” from being released onto the market after a less rigorous review process. It issued a new ...The Hill - Dec. 4 -
Trump ‘border czar’ offers NYC mayor a call to expedite deportations
Homan joins NewsNation's "CUOMO" to discuss what the consequences could be for lawmakers opposing mass deportations.The Hill - Dec. 4 -
Trump’s FBI pick Kash Patel faces rocky path to US Senate approval
Nominee has vowed to dismantle ‘deep state’ and is an admirer of QAnon conspiracy theoryFinancial Times - Dec. 3
More from The Hill
-
Trump picks businessman Leandro Rizzuto Jr. to be ambassador to the Organization of American States
The Hill - 27m -
Jan. 6 rioter says retired congressman invited him to Trump's inauguration
The Hill - 58m -
Trump taps Kari Lake for director of Voice of America
The Hill - 1h -
Rep. Glenn Ivey says replacing Wray is a 'mistake'
The Hill - 2h -
More than half of voters 'hopeful' going into Trump's 2nd term: Poll
The Hill - 3h