Biden restores environmental safeguards dropped by Trump

Included is a requirement that federal agencies evaluate projects’ impact on climate change

An Extinction Rebellion activist takes part in a protest in New York on Monday held to highlight government inaction on climate change. AFP

The administration of President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced it would restore safeguards in a cornerstone environmental law weakened under his predecessor, Donald Trump, including a duty to assess the climate impacts of proposed infrastructure projects.

The changes concern the National Environmental Policy Act, which was enacted by Congress in 1969. Rules about how it was applied were tweaked in 2020 by the Republican, an ardent supporter of the fossil fuel industry.

“Restoring these basic community safeguards will provide regulatory certainty, reduce conflict, and help ensure that projects get built right the first time,” Brenda Mallory, chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said in a statement.

“Patching these holes in the environmental review process will help projects get built faster, be more resilient and provide greater benefits to people who live near by.”

Measures reinstated include a requirement that federal agencies evaluate both the direct and indirect environmental impacts of projects. This includes assessing effects on climate change and the consequences of releasing pollution in communities already affected by polluted air and water.

The Arabian oryx is on the UAE's latest Red List for endangered animals. Reuters

About 700 Indian Ocean humpback dolphins inhabit Abu Dhabi waters. They are classed as endangered and are included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi

The sand gazelle is also on the list of endangered animals. Jaime Puebla / The National

A female Arabian leopard at Al Ain Zoo. The zoo focuses on conserving wildlife and is involved in research and breeding. Photo: Al Ain Zoo

The striped hyena has disappeared from many of its former habitats and is listed as 'near threatened' in others. Silvia Razgova / The National

The Arabian gazelle is on the list of threatened mammals in the Arabian Peninsula. Pawan Singh / The National

Researchers believe the Arabian wolf no longer exists in the wild in the Arabian Peninsula. Photo: Wikicommons

It will also allow agencies to work once more with local communities to devise plans to minimise environmental and health harm, and establish Nepa regulations as the floor, rather than the ceiling, for environmental review standards. This would pave the way for stricter measures if needed.

The White House said it was also working to further broaden Nepa’s scope and would announce more changes soon.

“We are encouraged to see the Biden administration take action to restore this bedrock environmental protection,” said Leslie Fields of the environmental group Sierra Club.

“Nepa plays a critical role in keeping our communities and our environment healthy and safe, and Donald Trump’s attempts to weaken Nepa were clearly nothing more than a handout to corporate polluters.”

The move comes days after the Biden administration was slammed by critics for announcing a resumption of oil and gas leasing on public lands, breaking a campaign promise.

On Friday, the interior department said it would post notices “for significantly reformed onshore lease sales” affecting about 58,275 hectares of land.

Experts say steering clear of new fossil fuel projects is vital to meet the goal of limiting long-term warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and averting a climate catastrophe.

Activists of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion blockade the Esso West oil terminal near Heathrow Airport, London. PA

A police van at the Esso plant as protests by activists at various refineries in the UK enter a fourth day. PA

Activists hang a banner on a fence at the terminal. PA

Extinction Rebellion confirmed they were blocking the entrance to the terminal, preventing tanks from making deliveries. PA

Protesters said they want faster action on climate as the energy crisis hits. PA

Andrew Smith, from Extinction Rebellion, said: “We’re here to say that climate action cannot wait." PA