Federal pilot to allow some projects to avoid NEPA

The Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration last week issued a final rule to establish regulations for a pilot program that would allow up to two states to conduct environmental reviews and approvals for projects under state laws rather than under the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The pilot would allow for the environmental review and approval under state laws under certain circumstances, according to the Federal Register. The new rule is effective Jan. 27.

The pilot was called for under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, which Congress passed in 2015.