Key Takeaways from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations Phase 2 Revision

Key Takeaways from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations Phase 2 Revision

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the potential impacts of their actions and to inform the public of the decision-making process. Since the enactment of NEPA in 1970, the law has undergone several amendments to keep pace with changing policies and priorities. The latest amendments, known as the Phase 2 NEPA Implementing Regulations, took effect on July 1, 2024. The Phase 2 rulemaking, and the preceding Phase 1, built upon other recent changes to the NEPA regulations. The background of Phase 2 and some of the key amendments to improve and modernize the NEPA process are described below.

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August 2020 - PHE Wins Another Contract with the United States Army Corps of Engineers!

August 2020 - PHE Wins Another Contract with the United States Army Corps of Engineers!

PHE, along with our joint venture partner Michael Baker International, was recently awarded a third indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District! The latest award is a Small Business contract to provide environmental planning services, with contract capacity of $40 million. Through this contract, PHE and Baker will support the USACE Mobile District’s Planning and Environmental Division to provide solutions to complex environmental planning needs.

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Looking forward with 30 years of perspective

Looking forward with 30 years of perspective

The last 30 years have transformed the way we understand and address human impact on the environment, and have increased emphasis on conducting business in an environmentally sensitive manner. Since its founding in 1988, PHE has been helping businesses and government agencies achieve a balance between mission-effectiveness and protection of our natural resources. With three decades of hard-earned experience, PHE’s commitment to helping our clients navigate complex environmental requirements – and address new environmental and societal challenges – is stronger than ever!

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October 2017 - Proven Strategies for Expediting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Reviews

October 2017 - Proven Strategies for Expediting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Reviews

Several administrations have made attempts to "streamline" the NEPA process, and in January of this year President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 13766 Environmental Reviews and Approvals for High Priority Infrastructure Projects, followed in June by EO 13807 Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects. The goal of these efforts is to reduce the overall timeline for environmental reviews, with an emphasis on optimizing efficiency, interagency coordination, and reducing unnecessary burdens. In response to the President's Executive Orders, in September 2017, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued an "initial list of actions" it will take to enhance and modernize the federal environmental review process, which includes development of a framework for implementation of "One Federal Decision," new guidance for implementing NEPA, and a review of existing CEQ implementing regulations to identify needed changes and clarifications. However, the implementation of these new Executive Orders and related changes to review processes, guidance, and potential regulatory changes will ironically take some time.  

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October 2017 - PHE Receives Award for Outstanding Environnmental Analysis

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PHE was selected by the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals at their annual Awards Gala in the category of “Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document – Environmental Assessment” for our work on the Final Environmental Assessment for Recommissioning of Three Military Training Routes in Southern California and Modification of Three Military Training Routes in Southern Arizona. PHE completed this project for the Department of the Navy in January 2017, analyzing environmental impacts to resources across 12 counties in Arizona and California.

NOVEMBER 2016 – PHE AWARDED 5-YEAR BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR NEPA SUPPORT TO DOE, NNSA, and FERC!

Potomac-Hudson Engineering, Inc. (PHE) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a 5-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), including the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  This BPA, valued at a maximum of $91M, is for the preparation of environmental impact statements (EISs), environmental assessments (EAs), and related documents to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  This BPA may also may be used to procure other environmental support services including floodplain and wetland assessments; Clean Water Act permitting; cultural resources surveys and consultation; biological resources surveys, assessments and consultation; incorporating NEPA considerations into Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) documents; and preparing environmental reports required for NRC license application reviews.

This marks PHE’s third consecutive award of this contract, building upon over 10 years of successful support to DOE programs on a nationwide basis.  PHE has been DOE’s most successful small business provider under previous contract awards, and has led NEPA studies supporting may of DOE’s most challenging initiatives. PHE will be supported on this BPA by its teaming partners S.S. Papadopulos & Associates (SSP&A) and Trinity Engineering Associates (TEA), both of whom have proven records supporting DOE on complex environmental and human health studies.

PHE Awarded Nationwide NEPA Support Contract with the Department of Veteran Affairs

October 2015 – PHE has been awarded a 5-year contract with the VA Office of Asset Enterprise Management to prepare NEPA documentation and conduct environmental analysis.  This is PHE’s second contract award from OAEM, which was previously managed through the VA’s National Energy Business Center.  Under this contract, PHE and our teaming partner Gryphon Environmental, will provide environmental analysis support to the VA for projects that improve sustainability performance, meet sustainability objectives, and reduce greenhouse gases.  Under our prior contract, PHE prepared 20 Environmental Assessments (EAs) for the installation and operation of alternative energy sources at VA facilities, including photovoltaic (PV) energy, wind energy, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

PHE and EcoPlan Team Awarded 5-Year BPA with Western Area Power Administration

September 2015 - PHE and its teaming partner EcoPlan were recently awarded a five year, $5 million Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Environmental, Cultural and Biological Services, for Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), Desert Southwest Region.  Under this contract, PHE will support WAPA on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) studies and documentation. This contract may also include other work including field biological surveys and monitoring; wetland assessments; cultural resources investigations; and air, water and noise compliance and permitting.  These projects will be in support of WAPA’s mission to deliver hydroelectric power within a 15-state region of the central and western United States, including the continued operation of more than 40 electrical substations and over 3,000 miles of transmission lines

PHE Awarded Three-Year IDIQ Contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District

July 2014 - PHE is excited to announce that we have been awarded a three year IDIQ Contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District. Under this contract PHE will provide assistance to the Fort Worth District in supporting Military and Civil entities with their compliance with environmental laws and regulations, primarily in the Southwestern Division.  The scope of work includes the preparation of NEPA documents, environmental studies, and environmental compliance related requirements. This contract builds on other recent IDIQ contract awards that PHE has been issued with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and the General Services Administration Public Building Service. 

PHE Awarded 5-Year IDIQ Contract with Naval Facilities Engineering Command

April 2014 - PHE was recently awarded a five year, $30 million Indefinite Duration, Indefinite Quantity contract  by Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Southwest.  Under this contract, PHE will support NAVFAC Southwest on a broad range of environmental planning services, with an emphasis on preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents. This contract may also include other work including facility plans and preliminary designs; cultural and natural resource surveys; air quality, noise and traffic studies; and public participation and agency consultation support. The locations for most projects covered under this contract will primarily be within California, Nevada, and Arizona (often for projects in desert, upland, and mountain environments); but could be anywhere in the United States where NAVFAC performs projects.