Send your comments by March 10, 2020
In mid-January, the administration announced a proposal to rewrite the rules for a bedrock environmental law – the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We have a moral responsibility to care for the health and well-being of the people and the planet. This plan does the opposite.
The proposal would cause great harm to the environment and public health. NEPA is a bedrock environmental law that requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impact of each new project.
We urge you to submit a public comment to voice your views on opposing these NEPA changes. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is accepting comments on these proposed changes until 11:59 p.m. March 10, 2020.
You can make a public comment by one of the following methods outlined below, referring to Docket Number CEQ-2019-0003-0001.
- ONLINE [Preferred] Federal eRulemaking Portal: Direct Link HERE to the “comment now” page (instructions are provided). Or go to www.regulations.gov look for docket number CEQ-2019-0003.
- FAX comments to: 202-456-6546. Comments must include the Docket No. and must be received by 11:59 p.m, March 10, 2020.
Your comments should be your own or they will not be considered (form responses are counted as only one comment).
Talking Points
Below are some talking points and sample language for your consideration. Feel free to draw from what we’ve provided. Your comments will be more powerful if you make them your own and explain why this issue is important to you.
- We have a moral responsibility to care for the health and well-being of the people and the planet. This plan does the opposite.
- The proposed constraints on public comments, such as the strict 30-day limit and the requirement to identify sources and methodologies, are inconsistent with the purpose of NEPA to give communities a voice in decisions that affect them.
- The proposed inflexible time limits on the preparation of NEPA documents will inevitably lead agencies to curtail the time they spent on needed analysis and outreach to affected communities.
- The removal of the current requirement to study “indirect” and “cumulative” effects of agency actions will cause agencies to ignore the fact that their actions combine with and add to the harmful effects of other existing or planned sources of pollution, which will devastate vulnerable communities already suffering from air and water pollution.
- The current requirement for considering cumulative effects must be kept in place because it is the only way to ensure that federal agencies consider how their actions contribute to global warming, surely the most critical issue of our time.
Sample Letter
Sample — very important to use your own words:
Attn: Docket No. CEQ-2019-0003
Dear Council on Environmental Quality,
I’m writing with my concerns about the proposed changes to the regulations implementing the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). As a Unitarian Universalist, I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people and respect for the interdependent web of all existence. My faith calls me to work to protect all people, especially the most vulnerable, all creation, and the environment from the adverse impacts of federal actions, especially those that contribute to the climate emergency.
[insert here in your own words why you are concerned and/or adapt from our talking points mentioned above or these below:]
- I am particularly concerned with proposed changes to NEPA that would limit the public process and right to participate in decisions of federal agencies that can greatly affect the health and welfare of communities.
- I believe it is important that I and the public have a right to participate in decisions and strongly oppose limiting participation in any way.
- I believe in [insert here in your own words….] the importance of NEPA as a tool that allows for a balanced and informed approach to federal decision-making. The proposed rules would severely limit the effectiveness of that tool and would pose a severe threat to the health and safety of all Americans, especially our most marginalized and vulnerable communities.
- Please reject these ill-conceived proposed rules.
Sincerely,
[Your name, full address, information here]