ePermit Act

Full Title:
ePermit Act

Summary#

The ePermit Act directs the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to create common data standards, prototype digital tools, and a shared, cloud-based authorization portal to support federal environmental reviews and authorizations. Key deadlines in the bill include: data standards within 180 days, guidance on implementation within 30 days, agency system comparisons and implementation plans within 90 days, and agency implementation beginning within 180 days. The bill requires design, testing, and piloting of shared services and an authorization portal, with a pilot within one year and a target to develop and implement a unified interagency data system by December 1, 2027. Agencies must report regularly to CEQ and OMB on progress. The portal is to be hosted by the General Services Administration, provide access to non-sensitive data for the public and Congress, support submission and tracking of application materials, include geospatial and interactive features, and report selected performance metrics. CEQ may contract for services and the Act states it does not create new regulatory processes beyond existing law. The Act also defines terms used in the bill, such as authorization data, data standards, and environmental review.

What it means for you#

  • Project sponsors: The portal is designed to let a sponsor submit required materials, upload geospatial data, and track application and authorization status in a single, secure online place. Interactive tools for editing and collaboration with federal staff are included in the bill text.
  • Members of the public: The bill directs public access to non-sensitive information (like project locations, timelines, and environmental documents) through the portal and requires metrics on public comments and meetings to be tracked.
  • Federal agencies: Agencies responsible for environmental reviews must compare their existing systems to the new data standards, report findings, submit implementation plans, begin implementing the standards and minimum functional tools, and report progress at least twice per year to CEQ and OMB.
  • Congress: The portal must give Congress access to aggregated performance data and CEQ must provide technical assistance on using the portal for oversight.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $1,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2032 (to remain available until expended) specifically to carry out the unified interagency data system provisions in section 7.
  • No publicly available information on total costs or additional appropriations beyond the annual amounts authorized for section 7.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings state that supporters expect modern digital tools, shared data standards, and interoperable systems to improve transparency, make public engagement more accessible, reduce redundant reviews, improve data integrity, enable better project management, and increase predictability and efficiency of environmental review and authorization schedules.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.