CEQ’s Proposed NEPA Guidance Listening Session _________________________ Welcome Please Sign In

CEQ’s Proposed NEPA GuidanceListening Session

_________________________Welcome

Please Sign In

Horst Greczmiel Council on Environmental Quality

April 15, 2010

NEPA Fundamentals

Categorical Exclusions (CE)

Environmental Assessments (EA)

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

Draft Climate Change & GHG Guidancehttp://ceq.hss.doe.gov/nepa/regs/Consideration_of_Effects_of_GHG_Draft_NEPA_Guidance_FINAL_02182010.pdf

Purpose of the GuidanceTwo aspects:• GHG Emissions Effects of the Proposed Action

and Alternative Actions

• Relationship of Climate Change to a Proposed Action or Alternatives and to Proposal Design, Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation Measures

Draft Climate Change & GHG Guidance

• When to Evaluate GHG Emissions 25,000 Metric Tons of CO2 Equivalent GHG Reference Point for Evaluation and Disclosure

• How to evaluate GHG Emissions Use Information in Existing Technical DocumentsComment Requested on Land and Resource

Management protocol

• What to considerEnergy Requirements

Draft Climate Change & GHG Guidance

• Considering Current or Projected Effects of CCAffected EnvironmentIntegrity of Development or Structure Vulnerable Communities - Subsistence

• Nexus of Project Effects and CC Effects• Adaptation• Incorporate Existing Research by Reference

We appreciate your perspectives

www.nepa.gov

Draft Categorical Exclusion Guidance

• Purpose of the Guidance• Substantiating a New Categorical Exclusion– Evaluate Agency’s Implemented Actions– Use Impact Demonstration Projects– Rely on Professional Staff and Expert Opinions,

and Scientific Analyses– Benchmark Public and Private Entities’

Experiences

Draft Categorical Exclusion Guidance

• Applying an Established Categorical Exclusion– Determine what Documentation is Necessary – Public Involvement

• Periodic Review of Categorical Exclusions

We appreciate your perspectives

www.nepa.gov

Draft Mitigation and Monitoring Guidancehttp://ceq.hss.doe.gov/nepa/regs/Mitigation_and_Monitoring_Draft_NEPA_Guidance_FINAL_02182010.pdf

• Purpose of the guidance• MITIGATION:

- Mitigated Findings of No Significant Impact -- Distinct from Elements Integral to Design

- Mitigation Commitments in an EIS / ROD -- Mitigation Alternatives

- Mitigation Needs, Plans, Implementation-- Document and Monitor-- Issue: Funding

- Deference to Agency Professionals

Draft Mitigation and Monitoring Guidance

• MONITORING: - Factors to Consider for Prioritizing Monitoring - Form / Method of Monitoring

-- Agency discretion-- EMS / Landscape or Facility Monitoring-- Open Government Agenda/reporting

• Implementation• Effectiveness• Role of the Public

We appreciate your perspectives

www.nepa.gov

Thank You

Horst Greczmiel Council on Environmental Quality