People & The Environment - Eno Center for Transportation

NEPA: Death by a Thousand Exemptions

October 30, 2026

October 30, 2026 | Eric Beightel

BAAJA could result in less coordination, not more certainty. Congress instead should build on the approaches that have made the...

The Nonobvious Consequences of the Proposed Amendments to NEPA in the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act

October 23, 2026

October 23, 2026 | Justin Pidot

If enacted, BAAJA will fundamentally change when and how environmental review under NEPA occurs, how federal, state, tribal, and local...

Nothing Certain but Death, Taxes… and Permits?

October 23, 2026

October 23, 2026 | Fred Wagner

Questions remain around BAAJA's efforts to give energy developers permit certainty.

BAAJA Will Unlock Cheaper and Faster Transportation Projects

October 23, 2026

October 23, 2026 | Stephanie Pollack

BAAJA will expedite transportation project delivery by relaxing the procedures that make it harder to repair, rebuild, and modernize our...

Tracking the Evolution of Responses to BAAJA Permitting Bill

October 23, 2026

October 23, 2026 | Rebecca Higgins

More analysis is starting to emerge on the Senate permitting bill including recommendations for amendments for certain provisions.

What would Transportation Environmental Reviews Look Like Under Senate Permitting Bill?

October 9, 2026

October 9, 2026 | Rebecca Higgins

With broad exemptions for NEPA, endangered species, and clean water act reviews, many transportation projects would see significant changes under...

Bridge Funding and State of Repair Status

October 9, 2026

October 9, 2026 | Grace Truslow

States and localities face challenges in maintaining state of good repair for bridges as formula dollars expire and extreme weather...

More Details on Permit Changes under BAAJA

October 2, 2026

October 2, 2026 | Rebecca Higgins

Changes proposed under BAAJA include State assumption of ESA, changes to the NHPA, and others.

Senate Proposes Major Changes to Permit and Review Processes

October 2, 2026

October 2, 2026 | Rebecca Higgins

The Senate's bipartisan permitting bill proposes new deadlines and constraints of permit decisions, limits to judicial review, and broad exemptions...

Next Steps on Senate Permitting Proposal

October 2, 2026

October 2, 2026 | Rebecca Higgins

With the bill text out, Senators have left DC, leaving action on permitting to wait until after the election.

New Fuel Economy Rule Locks-in Lower Standards Despite Higher Prices

October 2, 2026

October 2, 2026 | Rebecca Higgins

NHTSA finalizes changes to fuel economy standard without adjusting estimates for fuel prices.

Proposed Changes to Census Will Impact Transportation Funding and Analysis

October 2, 2026

October 2, 2026 | Grace Truslow

Current proposed changes to the 2030 Census will limit demographic information available for transportation analysis and may shift the allocation...