In a significant move to modernize the federal permitting process, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced the establishment of the Permitting Innovation Center on April 30, 2025. This initiative aims to leverage modern technology to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental reviews and permitting for infrastructure projects nationwide.
The Permitting Innovation Center will collaborate with the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) and relevant federal agencies to develop a Permitting Technology Action Plan. This plan will provide guidance on integrating technology into the permitting process, including the development of a standardized data and technology framework for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.
Additionally, the Center will work alongside the General Services Administration’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS) to design and test prototype software systems. These systems aim to streamline application submissions, automate review processes, and facilitate data exchange between agencies, ultimately reducing delays and improving transparency for project sponsors.
Katherine Scarlett, Chief of Staff at the CEQ, emphasized the administration’s commitment to modernizing permitting processes:
“The establishment of the Permitting Innovation Center is a major milestone on the road to permitting reform and demonstrates this Administration’s commitment to expediting the environmental review and permitting process through emerging technologies.”
Thomas Shedd, Director of TTS at the GSA, highlighted the collaborative effort:
“GSA’s Technology Transformation Services is committed to advancing the President’s agenda by supporting the accelerated development and building of the Permitting Innovation Center.”
This initiative reflects the administration’s broader efforts to modernize federal processes, reduce bureaucratic delays, and support infrastructure development across the country.
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