Complying with a presidential directive issued in March, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently issued a report reviewing potential hindrances to domestic energy resources in its nationwide permits.
The executive order required federal agencies to reassess their regulations to overcome any barriers to the continued production of oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear energy. The corps' report identified 12 out of 52 U.S. permits authorizing energy production for those energy resources, as well as water, wind and solar power sources. It suggested changes for nine of the 12 to ease burdens on energy producers.
The nine permits relate to maintenance, utility-line activities, hydropower projects, surface coal mining projects, commercial and institutional developments, coal re-mining and underground mining, land-based renewable energy generation and water-based renewable energy generation.
Corps personnel announced that the agency will collaborate with the administration in final decision-making for the permits in question. If any changes are pursued, they will be initiated and tracked through Federal Register publication in order to allow for input and evaluation
The corps was authorized to issue general permits at a state, regional or national level by a section of the Clean Water Act.
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