Narrow NEPA review and streamline federal permitting

Project 2025 recommends rewriting CEQ's NEPA regulations to restore and extend the 2020 approach. CEQ removed its government-wide NEPA regulations effective April 11, 2025 and issued guidance for agency procedures.

Project 2025 said

The President should instruct the CEQ to rewrite its regulations implementing NEPA along the lines of the historic 2020 effort and restoring its key provisions such as banning the use of cumulative impact analysis.

Chapter: 2 · Executive Office of the President of the United States
Author: Russ Vought
Department: Council on Environmental Quality
Printed page: 60
PDF page: 92
Last verified: August 16, 2026

Open Project 2025 — Chapter 2, printed page 60PDF viewer page 92

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Compared with

Government did

Match: Strong Alignment

Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations

CEQ removed its government-wide NEPA implementing regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations and directed agencies to rely on the statute and revised agency procedures.

Action type: Federal Regulation
Identifier: 90 FR 10610; CEQ-2025-0002
Current status: Effective
In effect: Yes
Last verified: August 16, 2026

Why this match

CEQ removal of its regulations strongly advances the narrower-review objective through a different and more sweeping mechanism than rewriting them along 2020 lines.

How this can change

Reversibility: Moderate

Agency Rulemaking

CEQ or Congress could restore a government-wide framework within lawful authority; agencies may revise their procedures through applicable process; courts may review.

Authority: Congress · President · Agency · Courts · States

Show me the receipts

2 public source receipts

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Project 2025 text

Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative PromiseThe Heritage Foundation · Project 2025 Text · p. 60

Government action

Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing RegulationsFederal Register · Government Action