Calls on Bureaucrats to Cut NEPA Red Tape
WASHINGTON — Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo) is moving to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to help stimulate the economy. The Barrasso amendment is specifically aimed at projects included in the President’s Financial Stimulus package.
Barrasso has voted against previous financial bailouts. He does not support the newest $900 billion package.
“If the goal is to actually spend stimulus funds in 2009 and 2010 and get the economy moving, we must do something about NEPA. There are jobs hanging in the balance,” Barrasso said
“This bill aims to streamline NEPA so reviews are done within 9 months of any stimulus bill being passed. If these projects are indeed ‘shovel ready,’ they will be able to meet a 9 month deadline. Otherwise they should face the axe.”
“Our current financial crisis should not be business as usual for Washington bureaucrats. If we want to get projects done quickly, create jobs and jump-start our economy, we need to fix NEPA. Washington needs some Wyoming style common sense,” Barrasso said.
Environmental laws such as the Endangered Species Act for example, remain unchanged. No laws are being waived.
“Every school to be built, every road and every bridge covered by this legislation would be delayed by NEPA red tape. This Washington interference will cause costly delays.”
“Without a streamlined NEPA process, many projects will be delayed for years. The Federal Government is subject to environmental law. These laws provide for measured, thoughtful decision making and they allow public involvement in our government. But they are not built for speed,” Barrasso said.
The amendment is co-sponsored by Senators Enzi (R-Wyo), Vitter (R-LA), Crapo (R-ID), Roberts (R-KS), Risch (R-ID), Bennett (R-UT)
BACKGROUND
· The amendment is endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
· This bill represents a massive federal investment that provides federal funds for a host of activities at the state and local levels. The release of these funds would trigger environmental reviews that could delay many projects indefinitely.
· In 1994, the General Accountability Office reported that NEPA reviews for highway projects took from 4.4 to 5.6 years. An August 2007 report by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) estimated that the current average time to complete a NEPA review for a major transportation project is 60 months, or 5 years.
· Last week, the Congressional Budget Office recommended expediting NEPA as a way to get stimulus funds disbursed quickly.
· If projects are truly shovel ready— If the agencies, states and local governments have done their homework, then they shouldn’t need this amendment. But approving this language will guarantee that no federal bureaucrat sitting here in Washington can waste time and money on endless paperwork while jobs are at risk.