A key part of the Trump Administration's infrastructure plan, dormant as it is, is to speed up permitting.
"Trump administration agencies, including Transportation, Housing, Interior and Energy, signed an administration memo Monday pledging to speed up permitting on major infrastructure projects using a two-year target," reports Michael Laris.
The pledge harkens back to a promise to speed up infrastructure project approval made by President Trump during the 2018 State of the Union. In his own words, he called on the federal government to "streamline the permitting and approval process -- getting it down to no more than two years, and perhaps even one."
"A dozen agencies and government councils signed the memorandum of understanding, which implements a Trump executive order from last year," according to Laris. "Guidance from the Office of Management and Budget calls on agencies to rework their environmental review processes to meet two-year targets."
Scott Slesinger, legislative director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, is quoted in the article saying the Trump Administration's infrastructure plan amounts to little more than an "ideological attack on environmental safeguards" and a "scapegoat for this administration’s failure to secure new funding."
FULL STORY: Trump administration agency heads sign pledge to speed infrastructure approvals
Trump's Infrastructure Accomplishments Fall Short of Promises
President Trump has fallen short of 2016 promises to update and upgrade the key infrastructure of the United States, according to this article.
New U.S. DOT Policy Limits Page Length of Environmental Impact Statements
The U.S. Department of Transportation is following through President Trump's promises to ease the federal government's permitting and approvals processes for infrastructure projects.
Pelosi-Schumer-Trump Infrastructure Plan Already Meeting Resistance
Introduced on April 30, the $2 trillion conceptual plan is likely to be dismissed by Congressional Republicans wary of increasing taxes and adding to the deficit, according to an extensive article by The Hill published three days later.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Los Angeles County Invests in Wildfire Recovery for Parks, Trails, and Open Space
The $4.25 million RESTORE Program supports the recovery of parks, trails, and open spaces damaged by the January 2025 wildfires through targeted grants that promote community healing, wildfire resilience, and equitable access to nature.
Nevada Bills Aim to Establish Home Insurance Assurance Amidst Wildfire Risk
Republican sponsor hopes the FAIR plan would be “a true market of last resort.”
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service