Monthly USDA New ERA Cohort Call

This is a monthly call of the USDA New ERA cohort to discuss the changes that we have seen to the environmental reviews, and to review some of the events of the last two months. We will not have a guest speaker, so it may be a short call.

Specifically, there has been some anxiety around the environmental review process as new has broken about new processes that could delay reviews. We want to explore the benefits of the program moving quickly with reviews and how the group might be able to support USDA in moving that vision forward.

We know that USDA, and the Administration more broadly, has put great efforts to streamline the NEPA process by revising its regulations to reduce unnecessary red tape. On August 6th, for example, they announced reform will allow the Department to efficiently deliver critical services and funds that America’s ranchers, farmers, loggers, and rural communities rely on, easing decades of unnecessarily lengthy and cumbersome NEPA reviews (USDA Rural Development Programs Will Begin Following USDA NEPA Regulations).

Continuing to support the expedited reviews and reminding key policymakers of the importance of this program to rural areas could go a long way and help the ball bounce in favor or program completion, so we want to have a quick discussion this month.

This event is for electric cooperative staff and their designees only via Teams on September 4th at 2PM ET. The conversation will be open to the group for questions and comments and discussion. Per usual, the call will likely have the feel of a mid-sized Teams call.

Meeting Joining Link: