Join our YouTube Channel to access this briefing and additional, exclusive USEA content! 

The Trump Administration has claimed success in its all-out assault on licensing and permitting delays, tackling everything from the time it takes to get an environmental review to the thorny issues surrounding nuclear licensing.

Much of the permitting reform centers on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which is seen as the backbone of environmental values. It was signed into law by President Nixon in 1970 and has been hailed and condemned ever since.

Nuclear licensing has a longer history, going back to 1946 and the first Atomic Energy Act. It vastly expanded when nuclear became a civilian technology.

The Environmental Protection Agency has been particularly active in rolling back NEPA regulations that it feels restrict the electric utility industry.

The administration’s move, supported by executive orders, has led to a phalanx of lawsuits from trade associations, environmental groups and 15 states.

There is general agreement across the energy sector that reform was needed, but what reform? Which environmental controls are going to become stranded assets?

Worldwide, both NEPA and its satellite laws — like the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act — have become a gold standard for environmental regulations. One hundred countries followed the United States with NEPA-type laws of their own.

Likewise, U.S. nuclear safety regulation is seen as another gold standard, emulated around the globe.

How well will the administration succeed in untying the knots of regulation and with what results will be the subject of the United States Energy Association’s next virtual press briefing. It will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. ET.

As with previous briefings, which are broadcast live on Zoom, this one will be unrehearsed. A panel of senior reporters who cover energy will question a panel of experts on environmental law and the impact of the administration’s actions on speeding up infrastructure building, but also their possible negative impacts on air, water, wetlands and health.

The Experts::

• Linda Willard, Dentons
• Phil Moeller, former FERC commissioner, and former executive vice president, EEI.
• Peter Asmus, author and consultant, formerly with Guidehouse
• Joel Yu, senior vice president, Enchanted Rock

The Reporters:

• Ken Silverstein, Forbes
• Peter Behr, Politico’s E&E News
• Matt Chester, Energy Central
• Jennifer Hiller, The Wall Street Journal
• Tim Gardner, Reuters