In response to the Trump administration’s push to increase U.S. energy output by declaring a national energy emergency, the Department of the Interior (the Interior) has released plans to aid the administration’s goals.  These include the Interior’s Emergency Permitting Procedures intended to accelerate and streamline review and approval of certain energy projects, primarily oil and gas.  Bypassing formal rulemaking, the Interior cites its authority during emergencies to implement “alternative processes” to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  The alternative processes are available to current and future applicants so long as they affirm in writing to the Interior that they qualify for and want to avail themselves of the expedited processes.

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