United States President, Donald Trump (pictured) has directed Federal Agencies to waive environmental restrictions in order to fast-track infrastructure projects such as mines, highways and pipelines.
In signing an Executive Order mandating the move, Mr Trump said the action was necessary to strengthen the economy and create jobs following the dramatic economic downturn caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The order will affect how Agencies can apply laws such as the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act, which currently require public consultation and environmental impact assessments before construction work on Federal lands can begin.
It directs Secretaries of the Departments of Transportation, Agriculture, Interior, Defence and the head of the Army Corps of Engineers to use emergency powers to waive “unnecessary regulatory delays”.
Federal Agencies are required to identify projects to expedite and report back to the White House within 30 days.
“From the beginning of my Administration, I have focused on reforming and streamlining an outdated regulatory system that has held back our economy with needless paperwork and costly delays,” Mr Trump said in the Executive Order.
“The need for continued progress in this streamlining effort is all the more acute now, due to the ongoing economic crisis,” he said.
Critics were quick to condemn the move.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi said bypassing critical environmental protections presented a direct threat to the environment and the many vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by the climate crisis.
“Without these important safeguards, American taxpayers could spend billions of dollars on projects that destroy endangered ecosystems, are unable to withstand the effects of climate change and threaten the safety of American families,” Ms Pelosi said.
Experts also questioned the President’s authority to waive existing legislation.
A former lawyer with the Environmental Protection Agency, Joel Mintz said it was “far from clear that the President has the legal authority to do this”.
Washington, 12 June 2020
