White House CEQ Unveils “CE Works” Pilot Program to Streamline Environmental Reviews
In a bid to modernize the labyrinthine environmental review process, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has rolled out a pilot program for CE Works. This innovative technology platform aims to digitize the assessment of categorical exclusions (CE) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), thereby assisting federal agencies in expediting crucial energy and infrastructure projects. Given that agencies make thousands of CE determinations annually, the introduction of this tool is expected to cut through bureaucratic red tape, ultimately speeding up project timelines.
CE Works offers a streamlined digital approach for agencies to implement categorical exclusions under NEPA. With this platform, agency staff can efficiently select suitable CEs, collaborate with resource experts, navigate the approval process, and generate necessary documentation for publication.
The development of CE Works arose from President Donald J. Trump’s memorandum titled Updating Permitting Technology for the 21st Century, which directed the CEQ to create and test new tools to modernize federal permitting and environmental review processes for infrastructure initiatives. This initiative is part of a broader Permitting Technology Action Plan.
In collaboration with the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Technology Transformation Services, CEQ has crafted the CE Works tool. GSA’s involvement ensures that the Permitting Innovation Center can harness top-tier tech talent to deliver high-quality software, improve infrastructure efficiencies, and enhance user experiences.
For this pilot launch, CEQ is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management’s Moab Field Office, with plans to expand partnerships with additional agencies in the coming months. By conducting field tests, CEQ aims to leverage firsthand experiences to guide agencies and promote the adoption of digital solutions that can inject speed and efficiency into the environmental review process.
“President Trump has emphasized the need to utilize modern technology to streamline and simplify the permitting process,” remarked Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Katherine Scarlett. “The innovations emerging from the Permitting Innovation Center will propel projects forward with unprecedented speed and efficiency, setting the stage for what could be America’s golden age.”
