Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, criticized the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for issuing final National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules that she believes will hinder infrastructure projects. Capito expressed her concerns, stating, "The White House continues to say it is in favor of making it easier to build things in America while at the same time imposing more and more regulations that will do the opposite." She further added, "Unfortunately, the rules finalized today favor only the projects the Biden administration views as compliant with its unrealistic climate agenda." Capito highlighted that the additional project review requirements will create new obstacles in an already challenging permitting process, affecting job-creating energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.

In the background, it was noted that the Biden administration's climate regulations, including aspects like the "social cost of carbon" and "greenhouse gas emissions," are not statutorily required and have been cited as causes for delays in infrastructure projects. Capito had previously urged the administration to withdraw proposed Phase 2 rules that added complexities to project review reforms achieved through bipartisan efforts. Additionally, in collaboration with John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Capito introduced legislation aimed at reforming the permitting and environmental review processes to address delays in vital energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects across the nation.