Federal Policy Shifts Impact Tribal Funding Access and Environmental Restoration
Capital in Nature-Based Solutions Markets
The goal of this project was to determine which financial investments from foundations and other impact investors would be most likely to drive others to invest in NBS. We interviewed fourteen companies and investors focused on deploying capital into nature-based investments.
Comments Regarding the Council on Environmental Quality’s Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations
EPIC submitted public comments opposing the wholesale removal of NEPA regulations by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), arguing it would create confusion and increase litigation risk. Instead, we proposed modernizing the NEPA process through our Smart Permitting Agenda, which includes implementing clear timelines, developing programmatic reviews, creating user-friendly e-permitting systems, and establishing expedited pathways for ecological restoration. We believe an updated regulatory framework can maintain NEPA's original intent while delivering faster results and ensuring meaningful community input.
EPIC's Smart Permitting Recommendations to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Streamlining Habitat Restoration in Washington: A Look at the Habitat Recovery Pilot Program
Smart Permitting Agenda
Pennsylvania’s Utilization of the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) IIJA Funding
Nosferatu isn’t the only vampire lurking around: The vampires skulking in the shadows of environmental procurement
Restoring Los Angeles: Opportunities for Indigenous Leadership After Wildfires
¿Se puede cambiar un palo borracho por lapacho? Una mirada al mercado emergente de servicios ambientales de Paraguay
Funding Nature Not Paperwork 2.0: A Synthesis of Permitting Issues, Reforms, and a Strategy for Moving Forward
Can tropical forest loss be offset by a forest “credit”? A closer look at an emerging environmental market in Paraguay
10 Fundamentals for Smart Permitting
The Trump-Vance Administration is excited about permitting reform, so are we! And, to get there, we want to see smart permitting. Efficient and effective permitting should be about getting to “yes” or “no” on projects faster—and we know there are hundreds of ways to do that without minimizing scientific rigor, transparency, and public participation. We’ve researched dozens of federal and state policies and technologies that have sped up permitting. Here we synthesize our 10 fundamental recommendations for improving the environmental review and permitting process.
EPIC visits Urban Greenway Project in New Orleans
EPIC’s Restoration Economy Center recently held its annual team retreat in New Orleans, Louisiana. While the trip included team building and bonding activities (complimented with NOLA classics like beignets and coffee with chicory from Cafe du Monde of course!), the highlight of the week was a fantastic tour of the Lafitte Greenway.
VA’s PEEP is a Gold Star Example of Permit Efficiency
Joint Public Comment: The National Environmental Policy Act: Relevance to Open Government and Public Participation
5 Key Areas Technology Should and Should Not Be Used in Permitting
Technology has the potential to speed up environmental permitting by enhancing transparency, data management, and public engagement. To truly streamline the permitting process, it’s essential to combine digital solutions with policy and process improvements.
