Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act; RED Tape Act
Summary
The "Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act," or "RED Tape Act," aims to amend Section 309 of the Clean Air Act. The proposed changes involve modifying the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) review process for proposed legislation. Specifically, it removes the EPA's mandated review of newly authorized federal construction projects, major federal agency actions, and proposed federal regulations.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the RED Tape Act would reduce the scope of environmental review conducted by the EPA. This could lead to faster implementation of federal projects and regulations. However, it may also result in less thorough consideration of environmental impacts.
Potential Benefits
- Streamlined project approvals due to reduced EPA review requirements.
- Potential cost savings for federal agencies by avoiding extensive environmental impact assessments.
- Increased efficiency in implementing new regulations.
- Could spur economic activity by accelerating project timelines.
- May reduce administrative burden on federal agencies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced environmental oversight could lead to negative impacts on air and water quality.
- Potential harm to biodiversity and ecosystems due to less stringent environmental reviews.
- Increased risk of environmental damage from federal projects.
- Diminished public input on environmental matters.
- May undermine the goals of the Clean Air Act.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the constitutional principle of separation of powers by potentially limiting the scope of agency oversight. Congress has the power to legislate and define the authority of executive agencies like the EPA. Article 1, Section 1 vests all legislative powers in the Congress. However, the bill's impact on environmental protection must be balanced against the government's responsibility to promote the general welfare.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).