The Army Corps of Engineers is formally reviewing the use of a federal permit for oil and gas pipelines — citing concerns for environmental justice, climate change and drinking water.
Nationwide Permit 12, or NWP12, is a general permit under the Clean Water Act that authorizes discharges associated with standard construction activities, such as installing internet cables. It is supposed to help get infrastructure built faster.
“Nationwide permits are a type of general permit and are designed to regulate with little, if any, delay or paperwork certain activities in federally jurisdictional waters and wetlands,” the Corps summarized in its public notice for review.
Since the permit allows developers to skip environment assessments and public comment, it is intended for projects with minimal effects to the environment — which is why its use has been criticized for rubber-stamping fossil fuel infrastructure.
Recently, the permit was questioned after it was used to approve the now-defunct Byhalia pipeline project in Memphis. The Corps said the Byhalia project “raised concerns” related to environmental justice and drinking water impacts.
Additionally, the agency said it wants to restore science to tackle climate change, quoting President Biden’s executive order last year that directs federal agencies to review regulations and “commence work to confront the climate crisis.”
The Corps will host public virtual meetings to seek input on Tuesday, from noon to 2 p.m. CST, and on Thursday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be a tribal virtual meeting on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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