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In the Federal Register document titled "Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations," a correction has been made to rule document 2025-03014. Originally, the date “April 11, 2025,” was printed incorrectly. It has been corrected to read “March 27, 2025.” This correction is documented on page 10611.

The President of the United States issued a memorandum establishing the order of succession for the position of Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality. If the Chairman cannot perform their duties, the roles will be filled in this order: Chief of Staff, General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels (in the order they were appointed), Senior Directors (also in their appointment order), and the Associate Director for the National Environmental Policy Act. However, individuals serving in these roles temporarily cannot act as Chairman based on this memorandum. The President retains the right to change the order if needed, and a previous memorandum from September 6, 2019, regarding succession is revoked by this document.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has announced the launch of an online portal that provides access to its guidance documents, in line with Executive Order 13891, "Promoting the Rule of Law Through Improved Agency Guidance Documents." This portal can be found at whitehouse.gov/ceq/resources. The guidance documents available through the portal do not have the force of law unless specified by statute or contract, and are aimed at clarifying existing legal requirements. Additionally, the portal will link to final rules on CEQ’s procedures for issuing guidance documents.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has finalized new regulations for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act, reflecting updates from the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. These revisions aim to make the regulations easier to understand and use, improving public access to government records and information. The final rules also incorporated public feedback, with changes ensuring transparency and a presumption of openness while also addressing how requests and appeals are processed. Additionally, the CEQ has updated administrative procedures, including the handling of fees and how appeals are managed, to align with current policies and practices.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has issued an interim rule to remove its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) from the Code of Federal Regulations. This action follows an executive order that rescinded the previous directive requiring these regulations and raised questions about CEQ's authority to impose binding rules. CEQ invites public comments on this rule by March 27, 2025, and will consider these before finalizing the rule. The interim rule’s removal of regulations is aimed at addressing legal uncertainties and simplifying agency compliance with NEPA.

PE Hydro Generation, LLC filed an application on January 3, 2022, for a new license for the Luray and Newport Hydroelectric Project located in Virginia. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has announced that it will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project, as it does not expect the project to significantly impact the environment. The EA will be shared with the public for feedback, and all comments will be considered in making the final licensing decision. For questions or participation in the process, the public can contact the Office of Public Participation.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued a correction to an earlier rule published on February 25, 2025. This correction updates the words used in the rule regarding the removal of CEQ's regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act from the Code of Federal Regulations. The change clarifies the authority under which the amendments are made, referencing specific U.S. Code sections and an executive order. These updates become effective on April 11, 2025.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is withdrawing its draft guidance on considering greenhouse gas emissions in line with President Biden's Executive Order 13990, which aims to protect public health and the environment. This rescission is part of a larger effort to update and align environmental policies with current climate goals. Although the draft guidance is withdrawn, agencies are encouraged to use available resources, including the 2016 guidance, when assessing the climate impact of their actions. The CEQ will later announce any updates to the previous guidance.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released new guidance to help federal departments and agencies comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) during emergencies. This guidance outlines alternative procedures for environmental reviews when emergencies require quick action and involve significant effects that would normally need an environmental impact statement. The document includes steps agencies should take during emergencies, including consulting with CEQ and coordinating with other agencies and governments to ensure public safety and resource protection are prioritized while complying with NEPA requirements.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is proposing new procedures to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including the addition of new categorical exclusions (CEs). These CEs are actions usually not expected to impact the environment significantly. NIST seeks public input on these draft procedures and the justification for the new CEs by January 10, 2025. The proposal is part of a larger effort to streamline and ensure consistency with environmental regulations.