On Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing federal agencies emergency powers to skip environmental permitting requirements for major energy and infrastructure projects.
The order is said as a measure taken to push the rebound of the economy from the coronavirus impact and to improve infrastructure. It pushes public works and highway projects as well as energy projects like pipelines and terminals to be accelerated
The Interior, Agriculture, and Defense Departments are instructed to expedite projects on federal lands.
Critics said that the order would disadvantage minorities who are likely to live in communities directly affected by major energy infrastructure.
On the other hand, industry groups are pleased with the order. The National Mining Association said it would support the increased use of the vast domestic mineral reserves Americans have right at home.
