Caltrans Update: NEPA Compliance
Caltrans Office Bulletin #26-01 provides a high-level overview of recent federal actions affecting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for Local Assistance transportation projects and outlines the immediate actions required.
Presidential Executive Order (EO) 14154: “Unleashing American Energy” revokes EO11991 that authorized the Council of Environmental Quality regulations. EOs 14148 and 14173 rescinds EO13985 (Equity), EO 12898 and EO 14096 (Environmental Justice).
In accordance with EOs 14154, 14148, and 14173, the following requirements are effective immediately:
- Environmental Justice & Equity – Do not include environmental justice or equity analysis in the NEPA portion of environmental documents. Use of this terminology is rescinded in LAPM Chapter 6 and associated Exhibits. Question 27 of the PES Form (Exhibit 6-A) and Question 23 of the PES (NI) Form (Exhibit 6-J) are no longer required
- Climate Change – Do not include climate change or greenhouse gas analysis in the NEPA analysis. These analyses remain applicable under CEQA
- Terminology & Scope – Avoid using terminology derived from rescinded CEQ (EO 11991 revoked) regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), past EOs (12898, 13985, and 14096), or recently excluded federal scope within the NEPA section of environmental documents
These updates supersede the 2026 publication while the affected questions of the Exhibits will be red-lined on existing versions. Formal revisions will be incorporated in the next scheduled update.
About NEPA
The National Environmental Policy Act was signed into law in 1970 to establish a national policy for the environment, provide for the establishment of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and for other purposes.
NEPA was the first major environmental law in the U.S. which requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major federal actions prior to making decisions.
