Governor Gordon Criticizes NEPA Rule Change, Citing Federal Overreach and Project Delays

Calling them unreasonable and burdensome to energy producing states like Wyoming, Governor Mark Gordon opposes proposed revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

Governor Gordon called for reconsideration of the proposed changes in a comment letter delivered to the Biden Administration’s Council on Environmental Quality. Throughout the revision process, Governor Gordon referred to the proposed changes as federal overreach and an encroachment on private and state rights. Gordon asserted that policy priorities in the proposed changes go beyond the Congressionally authorized scope of the National Environmental Policy Act. A proposal to broaden the scope to estimating the  “significant effects” to include climate change is highly problematic and vague, and will lead to delays and increased project costs, while ignoring economic factors.

Gordon said the Biden Administration is apparently using every opportunity – every government action, whether authorized by Congress or not –  to cripple our domestic economy in the name of addressing climate concerns. The Governor also signed a letter with 16 other Republican Governors outlining joint concerns from the states —namely efficiency and causes for delay.  The Governor’s letter concluded with a request for reconsideration of many of the proposed changes, and asked the CEQ to exercise restraint with sweeping changes.  The comment period ended September 29.