American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 25

pages 25_Layout 1 4/6/2020 9:44 AM Page 1

NEPA Reform Plans
Seek To Turn Emphasis
Away From Red Tape
President Richard Nixon signed the National Environmental
Policy Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 1970. According
to the Department of Energy website, Congress enacted NEPA
to establish a national policy for the environment, provide for
the establishment of the Council on Environmental Quality, and
for other purposes. NEPA was the country's first major environmental law and often is called the "Magna Carta of federal environmental laws." NEPA requires federal agencies to assess
the environmental effects of proposed major federal actions
prior to making decisions.
In the intervening 50 years, the scope of NEPA's requirements
and application have grown considerably, placing a heavy burden
on independent oil and natural gas producers operating on
federal lands. Although the law remains unchanged and the regulations have remained virtually untouched for the past 40 years,
the courts, presidential directives and agencies' regulatory implementation have made NEPA unworkable and far more complicated than the statute's original intent. It is well past time for
a modernization of the law to help spur economic development,
innovation and improved environmental protections.
Acknowledging this need for modernization, the CEQ issued
a Federal Register notice in early January to update its regulations
for implementing NEPA's procedural provisions. As CEQ summarized, "The proposed rule would modernize and clarify the
regulations to facilitate more efficient, effective, and timely
NEPA reviews by federal agencies . . . The proposed amendments
would advance the original goals of the CEQ regulations to
reduce paperwork and delays, and promote better decisions
consistent with the national environmental policy."
Unfortunately, opponents of this proposed reform say its
only intention is to weaken environmental protections, but the
reality is that NEPA has become so outdated and burdensome
that it actually worsens environmental outcomes. It has become
so unworkable that critical energy and infrastructure projects are
being delayed, which stalls the intended environmental benefits.
Modernizing NEPA can cut emissions through more efficient
energy production and transmission, and by easing the construction
of new roads and bridges that reduce traffic congestion. Moreover,
this proposal will not alter the protections in the Clean Air Act
nor the Clean Water Act.
Under current NEPA policy, completing the average environmental
impact statement takes five years, and some NEPA reviews take
even longer. Under the proposed reform, the goal is to shorten that
process to two years. That can be accomplished in several ways,
one of which includes cutting appeal system abuses.
Federal agencies deal with a relentless onslaught of NEPA
court challenges that are less a matter of environmental protection
and more about blocking new projects. Such a terribly inefficient
process leads federal land managers to strive for "appeal proof"
NEPA documents instead of working with stakeholders to implement reasonable environmental and conservation efforts.
Furthermore, a lack of coordination among federal agencies
leads to delays and confusion.

"

Unfortunately, opponents of this
proposed reform say its only intention is to
weaken environmental protections, but the
reality is that NEPA has become so
outdated and burdensome that it actually
worsens environmental outcomes.

"

Although agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management
and the U.S. Forest Service claim to engage in collaborative decision making, federal land management agencies' lack of coordination on NEPA requirements causes significant delays and
confusion. Rather than achieving successful outcomes, these
schemes prevent agencies from making timely decisions.
In comments it filed in March, the Independent Petroleum
Association of America details support for a number of specific
proposed changes. IPAA encourages CEQ to codify the longstanding judicial and administrative principle that issues not
raised during the public comment periods are deemed exhausted
and forfeited. Many agencies have adopted this rule independently
and courts enforce a similar doctrine, but incorporating this
principle into CEQ's regulations reinforces the need for public
participation early in the NEPA process.
In addition, IPAA urges CEQ to analyze NEPA applicability
thresholds to clarify those obligations for the land management
agencies and regulated entities. Project-specific work plans also
should be initiated to better ensure coordination between the
project proponent and the lead federal agency. As part of the
analysis, agencies will consider whether a categorical exclusion
(CX) applies to a particular action. Under the current policy,
agencies often are reluctant to use CXs, even when one or more
apply to a federal action, resulting in unnecessary analysis and
process. Creating explicit criteria for the use of a CX is an
integral part of NEPA modernization.
The Trump Administration's proposal to streamline the
review process and designate a lead agency for NEPA review is
a positive step forward. Independent oil and natural gas producers
welcome these proposed changes and stand ready to work with
the federal government to find solutions that improve our infrastructure and better protect the environment.
r

SUSAN GINSBERG is vice

president of crude oil and natural gas regulatory affairs for
the Independent Petroleum Association of America. She covers legislation and regulation,
focusing on the CFTC and
FERC. Her experience in natural gas regulatory affairs spans
more than three decades.
APRIL 2020 25



American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020

Contents
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - Intro
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 1
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 2
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - Contents
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 4
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 5
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 6
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 7
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 8
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 9
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 10
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 11
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 12
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 13
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 14
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 15
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 16
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 17
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 18
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 19
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 20
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 21
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 22
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 23
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 24
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 25
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 26
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 27
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 28
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 29
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 30
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 31
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 32
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 33
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 34
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 35
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 36
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 37
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 38
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 39
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 40
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 41
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 42
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 43
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 44
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 45
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 46
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 47
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 48
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 49
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 50
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 51
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 52
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 53
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 54
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 55
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 56
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 57
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 58
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 59
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 60
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 61
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 62
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 63
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 64
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 65
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 66
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 67
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 68
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 69
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 70
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 71
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 72
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 73
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 74
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 75
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 76
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 77
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 78
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 79
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 80
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 81
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 82
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 83
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 84
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 85
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 86
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 87
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 88
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 89
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 90
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 91
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 92
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 93
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 94
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 95
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 96
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 97
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 98
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 99
American Oil and Gas Reporter - April 2020 - 100
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios2016_programguide
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/pbios2014_programguide
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/2012_pbios
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/demo/aogr_clone
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aogr/201112
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com