The government has been lagging in utilizing technology to efficiently assess environmental permits, resulting in unnecessary delays to critical infrastructure projects that are vital for our economic health. However, a new chapter is about to unfold. My Administration is committed to harnessing modern technology to tackle age-old challenges, delivering results at the pace our 21st-century world demands. To that end, and in accordance with the authority bestowed upon me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, I hereby issue the following directives:
Section 1. Policy and Purpose
Executive departments and agencies (agencies) are hereby instructed to fully leverage technology in the environmental review and permitting processes for all types of infrastructure projects, including but not limited to roads, bridges, mines, factories, and power plants, with the following objectives:
- (a) Eliminate the reliance on paper-based application and review processes;
- (b) Accelerate project processing times without compromising the quality of reviews;
- (c) Shorten document lengths and enhance accessibility regarding permit applications;
- (d) Reduce redundant data submissions;
- (e) Enhance interagency sharing of existing analyses pertinent to different permit applications for identical projects;
- (f) Minimize coordination friction among agencies during environmental reviews and permitting;
- (g) Boost transparency and predictability in project permitting timelines;
- (h) Ensure that agency legal departments receive adequate support, funding, and technology for swift and effective defense of environmental documents and permit decisions;
- (i) Streamline the overall environmental review and permitting process at the federal level to expedite data collection and decision-making, thus benefiting state, local, and tribal decision-making as well;
- (j) Maintain a readily accessible source of information relevant to any judicial review of permits.
Sec. 2. Permitting Technology Modernization
(a) Within 45 days from the date of this memorandum, the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in collaboration with the National Energy Dominance Council and relevant permitting agencies, shall develop a Permitting Technology Action Plan aimed at modernizing the technology utilized for federal permitting and environmental review processes for infrastructure projects.
(b) The Permitting Technology Action Plan shall encompass the following:
- (i) A foundational data and technology standard for permit applications and reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., along with other relevant permits and authorizations;
- (ii) Minimum functional requirements for agency NEPA and permitting-related software systems, including case management systems, automation for expedited low-level reviews, data-driven document structuring, and reporting mechanisms to mitigate timeline uncertainties for environmental reviews;
- (iii) A roadmap for establishing a unified interagency permitting and environmental review data system, featuring interconnected agency systems and shared services, alongside iterative development of new platforms, tools, capabilities, key investments, and decision points aimed at consolidating digital infrastructure;
- (iv) An interagency governance framework to oversee the implementation of the Permitting Technology Action Plan;
- (v) A timeline for agencies to execute the activities outlined in the Permitting Technology Action Plan.
(c) Within 90 days of the issuance of CEQ’s Permitting Technology Action Plan, the officials specified in 42 U.S.C. 4370m–1(b)(2)(B)(i)-(xii) and others designated by the Chairman of CEQ shall adopt and commence implementation of the CEQ data and technology standard and minimum functional requirements detailed in sections 2(b)(i) and 2(b)(ii) of this memorandum within both new and existing agency environmental review and permitting systems to facilitate efficient environmental reviews.
(d) In executing the requirements of this section, the Chairman of CEQ shall collaborate with relevant agency Chief Environmental Review and Permitting Officers and Chief Information Officers to ensure effective oversight in implementing the data and technology standards.
Sec. 3. Permitting Innovation Center
(a) Within 15 days from the date of this memorandum, the Chairman of CEQ shall establish and lead an interagency Permitting Innovation Center. This center will design and pilot prototype tools that can be utilized under the Permitting Technology Action Plan for NEPA reviews and other environmental permits and authorizations. The Permitting Innovation Center will promote agency adoption of prototype software systems, encompassing case management systems, application submission and tracking portals, automation of application and review processes, inter-agency data exchanges, and acceleration of complex reviews.
(b) The Administrator of General Services, through the General Services Administration’s Technology Transformation Services, shall assist in the establishment of the Permitting Innovation Center, in line with applicable laws.
DONALD J. TRUMP
