A new directive from the Interior Department will cut environmental reviews for drilling and mining projects on public lands from years to weeks, citing an emergency order from President Trump.
In short:
- The Interior Department announced it will reduce environmental reviews for oil, gas, coal, and mineral projects to as little as 14 days, citing President Trump’s energy emergency order.
- The order claims emergency authority under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act, though critics say the U.S. has no genuine energy emergency and already leads the world in oil and gas production.
- Environmental groups argue the move silences public input and undermines legal protections, and they have promised legal challenges.
Key quote:
“This is manifestly illegal if for no other reason than this is all a fake emergency. We’ll be in court, and we will challenge it.”
— Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Federal environmental reviews are the last line of defense against unchecked industrial development on public lands and waters, ensuring projects don’t destroy wildlife habitat, pollute water, or bulldoze cultural sites before the public can weigh in. The Trump administration’s decision to bypass these protections under the guise of an emergency opens vast swaths of land — many ecologically or culturally sensitive — to fossil fuel extraction with minimal oversight. That could fast-track air and water pollution. Public comment periods often bring to light overlooked risks; eliminating that input increases the chances of long-term harm. Critics also say invoking emergency powers for non-emergency purposes sets a dangerous precedent that erodes environmental law and democratic processes.
Learn more: Bureau of Land Management removes climate and justice reviews from oil lease sale
