Don't Worry About the Vase Podcast NEPA, Permitting and Energy Roundup #2
Oct 8, 2025
The discussion delves into the flaws of NEPA and how it hinders meaningful decision-making. Ideas for reform include replacing NEPA with stakeholder voting. There's a focus on recent nuclear legislation and international developments in nuclear projects. The unique permitting environments influencing solar energy deployment in Texas versus California are highlighted. Furthermore, the podcast critiques the tendency of NEPA to create delays for clean energy projects while examining legal challenges impacting lithium and geothermal initiatives.
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NEPA's Procedural Pathology
- NEPA centers on procedure, not cost-benefit, which lets paperwork block worthwhile projects.
- Replacing procedural morass with stakeholder votes and cost-benefit analysis would ask the right question.
Repeal First, Replace Later
- If NEPA is a clear net negative for climate, repeal it and decide replacements afterward.
- Prioritize removing the worst legal barriers now rather than perfecting a complex replacement first.
Regulatory Rescission Shifts Power To Agencies
- Rescinding CEQ's 1970s NEPA regulations would free agencies to adopt leaner, agency-specific processes.
- That shift depends on agency-level guidance developed after the rescission, so outcomes will vary by agency.