ePermit Act

This bill would require the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to establish data standards and digital tools to modernize environmental reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act. Federal agencies would be required to implement these standards and collaborate with the CEQ to develop a unified interagency data system, including a cloud-based portal for authorizations. The proposal also directs the CEQ to launch a pilot program for these shared digital services and aims for full implementation of the interagency system by December 1, 2027.

The bill primarily affects the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which is tasked with developing data standards, building prototype tools, and overseeing a pilot program for shared environmental review services. Federal agencies responsible for conducting environmental reviews or issuing authorizations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are also affected, as they must implement new data standards and functional requirements for automated data sharing. These agencies are further required to collaborate with the CEQ to develop and maintain a unified interagency data system and a digital, cloud-based authorization portal.

• Establishment of environmental review data standards. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is required to develop, publish, and update data standards for collecting and curating information related to environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act.
• Development of environmental review tools and guidance. The CEQ must design and test prototype tools for environmental reviews and issue guidance to help agencies implement data standards and functional requirements, such as automated data sharing.
• Creation of a unified interagency data system. The CEQ and relevant federal agencies must work to develop a cloud-based authorization portal and an interconnected system of shared services for environmental reviews, with a target implementation date of December 1, 2027.
• Implementation of a shared services pilot program. Within one year, the CEQ is tasked with overseeing a pilot program for shared environmental review services, which includes the development of a digital authorization portal.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must oversee a pilot of shared services and an authorization portal within one year. To the maximum extent practicable, the CEQ is required to develop and implement the unified interagency data system by December 1, 2027.

This bill establishes requirements for digitizing environmental reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). It directs the Council on Environmental Quality and relevant federal agencies to implement new data standards and functional requirements for existing environmental review and authorization processes.

The bill aims to modernize and streamline environmental reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 by digitizing the process. It seeks to establish a unified interagency data system and a cloud-based authorization portal to facilitate automated data sharing and standardized data collection among federal agencies.