On April 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced plans to implement unprecedented emergency procedures to fast-track permitting for energy and critical minerals projects on federal lands. The initiative follows President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025 declaration of a National Energy Emergency and implements that executive order’s direction to “identify and exercise any lawful emergency authorities available” to facilitate energy development, including critical minerals.
Department of the Interior to Adopt Expedited NEPA Permitting Procedures for Energy and Minerals Projects on Federal Lands
