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Memo 13604MemorandumObama · D Quiet signal

Presidential Memorandum 13604

Modernizing Federal Infrastructure Review and Permitting Regulations, Policies, and Procedures

This memorandum directs federal agencies to modernize infrastructure permitting and review regulations to cut aggregate timelines for major projects in half while improving environmental and community outcomes. It mandates a 60-day prioritization effort and 120-day comprehensive modernization plan by an interagency steering committee, building on Executive Order 13604 reforms.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 30733

Impact dates

  1. Steering Committee prepares comprehensive modernization plan

  2. Steering Committee identifies and prioritizes modernization opportunities

Key directives

  • Steering Committee shall identify and prioritize modernization opportunities within 60 days
  • Steering Committee shall prepare comprehensive modernization plan within 120 days
  • Plan must include specific steps for re-engineering intra- and inter-agency review processes
  • Plan must address 9 specified elements including IT tools, mitigation policies, concurrent reviews, and stakeholder engagement
  • Covered sectors include surface transportation, aviation, ports, water resources, energy generation/transmission, broadband, pipelines, storm water

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Steering Committee to begin 60-day identification of modernization opportunities
  • CPO, OIRA, and CEQ coordination on interagency process

Near term (90d)

  • 120-day deadline for comprehensive modernization plan with specific re-engineering steps
  • Plan to address IT expansion, concurrent reviews, mitigation policy improvements, and stakeholder engagement

Long term

  • Implementation of regulatory and policy reforms to halve aggregate permitting timelines
  • Institutionalization of best-management practices across covered infrastructure sectors
  • Potential structural changes to multi-agency review processes

Risks & tensions

  • Funding and resource constraints acknowledged as limiting factor; implementation subject to appropriations
  • Tension between accelerating permitting timelines and maintaining environmental/historical/cultural protections
  • Vague 'halve aggregate timelines' goal lacks baseline metrics or enforcement mechanism
  • Non-enforceable disclaimer (Sec. 2d) limits accountability for implementation
Presidential Memorandum 13604: Modernizing Federal Infrastructure Review and Permitting Regulations, Policies, and Procedures · Executive Orders