 |
|
| CEQ Submits Third Report to Congress on NEPA Compliance under Recovery Act |
| The Council on Environmental Quality has submitted to Congress its third report on the status and progress of required environmental reviews for projects and activities receiving economic stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Section 1609(c) of the ARRA requires the president to report to Congress every 90 days, until Sept. 30, 2011, on the progress of projects funded by ARRA with regard to compliance with NEPA requirements and documentation. The latest report provides an overview of the 15 executive departments and nine agencies required to report on their NEPA status. As of Sept. 30, 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation had reported on the NEPA status of over 13,500 projects and activities, with over 14,650 NEPA reviews completed and 1,325 pending. For more information, link to the CEQ news release and the NEPAnet CEQ Task Force website. (11-2-09)
[back to top] | | |
|
| Presidential Award Recognizes Efforts to Reduce Energy, Fuel Use by Federal Agencies |
| Teams from six federal agencies received the 2009 Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management for their efforts to promote and improve energy use at their facilities. According to the Council on Environmental Quality, the agencies’ efforts provided an estimated annual energy savings equivalent to the energy used by 26,000 typical households. The awards program recognized achievements in six categories, including efforts to reduce vehicle fleet petroleum use by the Interior and Treasury departments. For more information, including a list of award recipients, link to the CEQ press release. (10-29-09)
[back to top] | | |
|
| Council on Environmental Quality Launches New Website |
| The Council on Environmental Quality has updated its website to help visitors find current information on the council’s projects and announcements. The new website includes an overview of CEQ’s environmental priorities and activities, press releases, “What’s New” updates, information on CEQ initiatives, and other resources. For more information, link to the new CEQ website. (7-21-09)
[back to top] | | |
|
| CEQ Offers Guidance for Expediting Reviews of Stimulus Projects |
| Guidance on expediting required environmental reviews for projects receiving economic stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been issued by the Council on Environmental Quality. Section 1609 of the ARRA requires that environmental reviews for stimulus projects be “completed on an expeditious basis” and using “the shortest existing applicable process” under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The memorandum suggests that any proposals with the potential for a categorical exclusion be reviewed for extraordinary circumstances and that “concise and focused” environmental assessments be employed. The memorandum also encourages agencies to use programmatic analyses to consolidate reviews of related project proposals; adopt or incorporate by reference any NEPA analyses or documentation that already have been completed by other agencies; and consult with CEQ to address specific compliance issues. For more information, link to the CEQ Memorandum: Environmental Compliance and Guidance for Reporting NEPA Status and Progress for Recovery Act Activities and Projects. (4-3-09)
[back to top] | | |
|
|
|
