On April 15, 2025, a Presidential Memorandum was issued
directing agencies to leverage technology to evaluate environmental
permitting decisions and to streamline the review process. The
Memorandum directs executive departments and agencies to
“make maximum use of technology in environmental review and
permitting process for infrastructure projects of all kinds,”
including power plants.
The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)-this
position has not been filled as of this writing- in consultation
with the National Energy Dominance Council and relevant permitting
agencies are directed to issue a Permitting Technology Action Plan
within 45 days of the April 15th Memorandum. The
Group is directed to modernize standards for permit applications
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and
other applicable permit authorizations. The Memorandum mandates
what shall be included in the Permitting Technology Action Plan,
including data and