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EO 13766Executive OrderTrump 45 · R

Executive Order 13766

Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals for High Priority Infrastructure Projects

Energy & EnvironmentEnergy & EnvironmentEconomy & LaborEconomy & LaborDemocracy & GovernanceDemocracy & Governance

In simple terms

This executive order directs the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to establish a fast-track process for environmental reviews of "high priority" infrastructure projects such as pipelines, bridges, airports, and electrical grid upgrades. It creates a 30-day decision window for CEQ to designate projects as high priority, after which agencies must meet expedited deadlines for completing environmental approvals.

Federal Register Open PDF 82 FR 8657

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 82 FR 8657

    Federal Register PDF

  3. CEQ decision on high priority project designation

Key directives

  • CEQ Chairman shall within 30 days of request decide whether project qualifies as 'high priority'
  • CEQ shall coordinate with relevant agencies to establish expedited procedures and deadlines for environmental reviews
  • Agencies shall give highest priority to completing reviews by established deadlines
  • Agency heads must provide written explanation to CEQ for missed deadlines, including causes and concrete actions

Who is ordered

What to expect

Immediate

  • CEQ Chairman authority to receive and act on high priority project requests

Near term (90d)

  • CEQ 30-day determination process becomes operational
  • Expedited procedures and deadlines established for designated projects

Long term

  • Potential shift in environmental review norms for major infrastructure
  • Cumulative effects on project approval timelines across administrations

Risks & tensions

  • 30-day deadline for designation is clear; actual environmental review deadlines are delegated to CEQ/agency coordination without fixed timelines
  • 'Consistent with law' qualifier throughout may limit practical expediting
  • Vague 'other factors as the Chairman deems relevant' creates broad discretion
  • No enforcement mechanism beyond written explanation for missed deadlines
  • Potential tension between expedited reviews and environmental/safety protections
Executive Order 13766: Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals for High Priority Infrastructure Projects · Executive Orders