By Andi Anderson
A proposed federal budget bill under Senate review could change how environmental permits are handled in Illinois and across the country. If passed, these reforms may significantly speed up infrastructure projects, especially those under the Rebuild Illinois capital program.
Currently, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires detailed environmental assessments or impact statements for major projects.
These include reviews by all relevant federal agencies and affect private developments needing federal permits. The new provision in the bill would allow projects to pay an additional 25% fee for an expedited review process, potentially cutting down on delays.
According to Thomas Hochman, director of infrastructure policy at the Foundation for American Innovation, the reform could also protect projects from lawsuits over permitting issues.
“There are quotes from folks like an outgoing EPA General Counsel, who say 90% of the details in a NEPA review are purely there for litigation-proofing the document,” Hochman said.
This means a faster process could become possible if the legal risk is reduced. Hochman added that if only 10% of the review details are truly necessary, projects could move ahead much quicker.
NEPA reform has failed in Congress before, but this bill is the first to attempt it through the budget reconciliation process. It could lead to faster completion of large-scale infrastructure efforts like roads, pipelines, and energy systems.
However, the reform could also be influenced by political changes. Hochman explained that different administrations might treat projects differently, possibly adjusting costs based on political goals.
While the proposed reforms reduce risk under NEPA, projects will still need to meet requirements under other environmental laws like the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.
If approved, these changes could make a lasting impact on how infrastructure and energy projects are built, offering quicker timelines and fewer legal hurdles for Illinois and beyond.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Illinois, General