The Trump administration has announced that it will expedite the permitting process for mining, drilling, and fossil fuel production on public lands, a move that could see approvals take as little as 28 days, a sharp reduction from the current one- to two-year timeline. This shift follows President Trump’s January 20 declaration of a national energy emergency and an executive order aimed at removing climate policies that increase fuel and food costs.
The accelerated permitting process, which applies to projects involving crude oil, natural gas, and coal, is part of Trump’s broader energy agenda, which includes his campaign slogan “Drill, baby, drill.” The U.S. already leads the world in oil and gas production, producing 20 million barrels of oil per day, and this move could further cement its position.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) will use emergency powers under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act to speed up reviews. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized that this shift reflects the administration’s commitment to national energy security.
However, environmental advocates have expressed strong opposition, arguing that the new process undermines public participation and environmental safeguards. Michael Burger, executive director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, warned that bypassing environmental reviews could have severe consequences, particularly on protected species and ecosystems. The expedited process could also lead to legal challenges, as it circumvents established regulatory procedures.
The move has been hailed by the oil and gas industry, with the American Petroleum Institute praising the reforms as necessary to ensure access to affordable energy. However, concerns are rising that workforce reductions within the DOI could hinder the effectiveness of the new system. The White House is reportedly considering significant cuts to federal staff, which could include up to 25% of DOI employees. This could limit the department’s capacity to handle an accelerated permitting process and potentially increase the risk of regulatory failures, such as oil spills.
The DOI has not commented on how staffing cuts may affect its ability to meet the new deadlines. Experts suggest that the industry’s cautious approach to new projects might lead some companies to opt out of the expedited process, fearing potential financial risks from hasty approvals. Despite this, the changes represent a significant shift in U.S. energy policy, with broad implications for both the environment and the fossil fuel industry.
