Army Corps of Engineers Identifies Over 600 Infrastructure Projects Eligible for Fast-Tracking
Overview
In response to President Donald Trump’s National Energy Emergency declaration, the Army Corps of Engineers has compiled a list of over 600 energy and infrastructure projects that could potentially be expedited through emergency permitting. The projects include major energy infrastructure, such as pipelines, power plants, and export terminals.
Projects on the List
Among the notable projects on the list are:
- Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline under Lake Michigan
- Several natural gas power plants
- Liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals proposed by Cheniere and Venture Global
Legal Implications
The fast-tracking of these projects could face legal challenges from environmental groups who argue that it flouts federal laws and violates the Army Corps’ own emergency permitting regulations. David Bookbinder, Director of Law and Policy at The Environmental Integrity Project, expressed concerns about the potential harm to waterways and the illegality of the process.
Industry Support
In contrast, companies with projects awaiting permits have welcomed the move to streamline the review process. Jon Cherry, CEO of Perpetua Resources, lauded the action to expedite reviews for critical mineral development projects.
Distribution of Projects
West Virginia has the highest number of projects on the list with 141, followed by Pennsylvania (60), Texas (57), Florida (42), and Ohio (41).
Additional Details
- The Army Corps posted the list without public notice.
- The Army Corps was not immediately available for comment.
- The Biden administration had previously issued a permit for Perpetua Resources’ mine, but the wetlands permit is still pending.
Analysis
The Army Corps of Engineers’ identification of over 600 infrastructure projects for fast-tracking has sparked both legal concerns and industry support. While companies seek to expedite their projects, environmental groups raise concerns about the potential environmental impacts and the legality of the process. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will navigate this issue.
