ePermit Act
Key claim: The ePermit Act requires CEQ and federal agencies to digitize NEPA environmental reviews through shared data standards, prototype tools, and a unified interagency cloud-based authorization portal by December 1, 2027.
Abstract
(S3800 · 119th Congress) ePermit Act This bill establishes requirements related to digitizing environmental reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must develop, publish, and iteratively update data standards for the collection and curation of certain data related to environmental reviews. CEQ must also design, test, and build prototype tools for environmental reviews. Additionally, CEQ must publish guidance to assist relevant agencies in implementing such standards as well as certain minimum functional requirements, such as data sharing that enables automated transfer of relevant data among federal agencies. Federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations must implement the data standards and such minimum functional requirements. To the maximum extent practicable, CEQ and such agencies must iteratively develop and maintain a unified interagency data system consisting of interconnected federal agency systems and shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations, including a common interactive, digital, cloud-based authorization portal. Within a year, CEQ must oversee a pilot of shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations, including the portal. To the maximum extent practicable, CEQ must develop and implement the unified interagency data system by December 1, 2027. Latest action (2026-02-05): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Why this matters
The ePermit Act adds a technology-modernization dimension to the broader wave of NEPA procedural changes, targeting the review process itself rather than its scope. A shared interagency cloud portal and CEQ data standards could materially affect permitting timelines, transparency, and coordination costs across the many energy, minerals, water, and public-lands actions tracked in this area.