On November 16, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy published a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing to amend its implementing procedures (regulations) governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (88 FR 78681). The proposed changes would add a categorical exclusion for energy storage systems and revise categorical exclusions for upgrading and rebuilding transmission lines and for solar photovoltaic systems, as well as make conforming changes to related sections of DOE's NEPA regulations.
The public comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking will close on January 16, 2024.

National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures; Extension of Comment Period