First Look at CEQ’s Permitting Technology Action Plan
blogs, restoration, technology Boon Sheridan blogs, restoration, technology Boon Sheridan

First Look at CEQ’s Permitting Technology Action Plan

This blog is a first look at the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) Permitting Technology Action Plan, which aims to modernize federal permitting processes. The plan includes data standards for interoperability between agencies, service delivery standards for workflow automation and digital documents, and a maturity model for agencies to gauge their progress. Key highlights include implementing data standards, improving document management, and using GitHub for open collaboration. We note the potential for multi-agency procurement and prize competitions and outline potential impacts for agencies, applicants, and vendors. We express cautious optimism due to the plan's technical depth, interoperability focus, and use of existing work but also note concerns about talent gaps and the aggressive initial 90-day implementation timeline.

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Comments Regarding the Council on Environmental Quality’s Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations
public comments, restoration, technology Environmental Policy Innovation Center public comments, restoration, technology Environmental Policy Innovation Center

Comments Regarding the Council on Environmental Quality’s Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations

EPIC submitted public comments opposing the wholesale removal of NEPA regulations by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), arguing it would create confusion and increase litigation risk. Instead, we proposed modernizing the NEPA process through our Smart Permitting Agenda, which includes implementing clear timelines, developing programmatic reviews, creating user-friendly e-permitting systems, and establishing expedited pathways for ecological restoration. We believe an updated regulatory framework can maintain NEPA's original intent while delivering faster results and ensuring meaningful community input.

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New Project: National Drinking Water Explorer Tool
technology, water, blogs Kameron Kerger technology, water, blogs Kameron Kerger

New Project: National Drinking Water Explorer Tool

All Americans deserve safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water. But making sure that everyone has access remains a challenge that requires untangling a complex web of interdependent factors. EPIC is planning to scale our Texas-based tool nation-wide in order to support communities, map the utility landscape across the U.S., and help states to prioritize investments and technical assistance to improve drinking water infrastructure.

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