WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner instructed the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) to request comments and feedback from tribal leaders regarding burdensome environmental regulations and how HUD can reduce challenges associated with the environmental review process.
“HUD is working quickly to eliminate all burdensome regulations that cause inefficiencies and delays across the Department,” said Secretary Turner. “We are committed to a streamlined government and that begins with identifying where the waste, duplication, and delays occur. I look forward to the feedback and comments from our tribal leaders who know their communities’ challenges better than anyone in Washington.”
Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14154, Unleashing American Energy, and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)’s followed guidance, HUD intends to revise its regulations related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental requirements following the comment and feedback period.
The text of the letter is below:
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14154, “Unleashing American Energy.” In furtherance of EO 14154, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) provided guidance to Federal agencies on revising their National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations in a manner that expedites permitting approvals, meets deadlines established in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (Pub. L. No. 118-5, § 321, 137 Stat. 10), and prioritizes efficiency and certainty over any other objectives that could add delays and ambiguity to the permitting process. Consistent with CEQ’s guidance, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) intends to revise its regulations at 24 CFR parts 50 and 58 which relate to NEPA and other environmental requirements.
Pursuant to HUD’s Tribal consultation policy, HUD is committed to seeking Tribal comments and feedback to revise HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR parts 50 and 58. HUD is working to complete its 24 CFR part 50 and 58 rulemaking by February 19, 2026, as set by CEQ’s guidance.
Specifically, HUD is interested in feedback on the following questions:
- What challenges do Tribal governments face when carrying out HUD environmental reviews, and how can HUD reduce these challenges?
- How can HUD enhance its coordination with Tribal agencies and departments overseeing environmental reviews to minimize duplication and ambiguity?
- How can HUD streamline its environmental review process to prioritize efficiency for Tribal communities?
- How can HUD’s regulations be improved to identify a lead agency, joint lead agencies, cooperating agencies, and participating agencies to develop a unified Federal review pursuant to Section 107 of the National Environmental Policy Act?
Consultation comments can be submitted by May 25, 2025 to [email protected]. Include “Tribal Consultation on HUD Environmental Rulemaking per EO 14154” in the subject line with your submission. HUD will consider all consultation comments received within 30 days of the issuance of this letter and will consider comments received after 30 days to the greatest extent possible.
