President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he intends to expedite environmental and other regulatory approvals for companies investing $1 billion or more in the United States. However, the specifics of how he plans to streamline these processes remain unclear.
Trump took to Truth Social to declare, “Any person or company investing ONE BILLION DOLLARS, OR MORE, in the United States of America, will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals. GET READY TO ROCK!!!”
There were no further details provided, and Trump’s team did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for clarification on Tuesday.
The National Environmental Policy Act mandates that the federal government conduct environmental reviews before approving projects related to energy production, infrastructure, and other developments. Trump’s strategy for bypassing these regulations is not yet clear, but he has committed to boosting domestic oil and natural gas production, which often faces regulatory hurdles.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), frequently criticized by Trump and his supporters, is tasked with creating and enforcing regulations that manage air quality, protect water resources, oversee waste management, handle hazardous substances, and monitor the environmental impact of public and private projects.
Chris Wright, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Energy, is anticipated to advocate for an inclusive energy policy that promotes oil and natural gas production alongside renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear power.