E-NEPA Act

[SWMissourian]

Senator Chen, for himself and others (and with thanks to Rep. Scalise), introduced the following bill: 

 

A BILL 

to authorize a study on the creation of an online permitting portal for the National Environmental Policy Act

SEC. 1. SHORT NAME

(a) This bill may be referred to as the "E-NEPA Act".

 

SEC. 2. E–NEPA.
(a) Permitting Portal Study.—The Council on Environmental Quality shall conduct a study and submit a report to Congress within 1 year of the enactment of this Act on the potential to create an online permitting portal for permits that require review under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) that would—

(1) allow applicants to—

(A) submit required documents or materials for their application in one unified portal;

(B) upload additional documents as required by the applicable agency; and

(C) track the progress of individual applications;

(2) enhance interagency coordination in consultation by—

(A) allowing for comments in one unified portal;

(B) centralizing data necessary for reviews; and

(C) streamlining communications between other agencies and the applicant; and

(3) boost transparency in agency decisionmaking.

(b) Authorization Of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for the Council of Environmental Quality to carry out the study directed by this section.

 

PES: 

Authorizes a study on the creation of an online permitting portal for permits that require review under NEPA.