ACTIVISTS OPPOSE ENERGY BANK BILLS' NEPA EXCLUSION PROVISIONS

摘要

Activists are fighting provisions in two bills to establish a government-owned clean energy bank to fund clean energy projects that would allow the bank to adopt other agencies' existing categorical exclusions from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, claiming the provisions may expand existing exclusions.rnHowever, one NEPA academic expert counters that the provisions are reasonable and necessary to promote clean energy projects. The Department of Energy (DOE), EPA and other agencies that have already developed regulations detailing what categories of projects are exempt from NEPA review have more expertise than the bank would to determine when the exemptions are appropriate, the source says.rnThe dispute highlights an ongoing rift over how to streamline the NEPA environmental review process for clean energy projects. Activists are already divided about how - if at all - to revise NEPA to promote green jobs, solar power and other projects with environmental benefits.rnRep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) March 24 introduced his clean energy bank bill and Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) is expected to soon introduce a similar companion bill to create a government-owned bank to fund clean energy and energy efficiency projects.