Overview of Laws and Regulations

Laws

Congress enacted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969, declaring an ambitious and visionary national policy to promote environmental protection for present and future generations. NEPA seeks to encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between humans and the environment, recognizing the profound impact of human activity and the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare of humankind. NEPA established the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in the Executive Office of the President to advise presidents on national environmental policy, assist Federal agencies in their implementation of NEPA, and oversee implementation of a variety of other environmental initiatives from the expeditious and thorough environmental review of infrastructure projects to the sustainability of Federal operations. Congress amended NEPA in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

Congress also enacted the Environmental Quality Improvement Act in 1970 addressing CEQ operations. Finally, section 309 of the Clean Air Act provides for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) review of Federal agency environmental impact statements and for EPA referrals to CEQ.

• National Environmental Policy Act, as amended
  • More information on the Amendments to NEPA from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
• Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970
• Section 309 of the Clean Air Act

Current NEPA Implementing Regulations

NEPA charges CEQ with overseeing and guiding NEPA implementation across the Federal Government, which includes developing implementing procedures. CEQ initially issued interim guidelines in April 1970 and revised the guidelines in 1971 and 1973. CEQ promulgated its NEPA regulations in 1978, with typographical amendments in 1979 and amendments to one provision in 1986. CEQ revised these regulations in July 2020. Consistent with the direction in Executive Order 13990, CEQ made a narrow set of revisions in April 2022, and further revised the regulations in a final rule issued May 1, 2024. The updated regulations are effective on July 1, 2024.

• NEPA Implementing Regulations, 40 CFR Parts 1500 through 1508
• Information on CEQ's May 2024 Final Rule and Past Rulemakings

Desk Reference

On May 1, 2024, CEQ revised and republished 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508. The revisions are effective July 1, 2024. The updated edition of the Desk Reference provides the text of 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 as of July 1, 2024, together with the text of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended; the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970; Section 309 of the Clean Air Act; and Executive Order 11514, as amended by Executive Order 11991.

This prior version of the CEQ publication provides the text of 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 as of July 2023; the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended; the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970; Section 309 of the Clean Air Act; and Executive Order 11514, as amended by Executive Order 11991.