美國白宮發布最新氣候變遷指引，要求聯邦機構在審查潔淨能源和其他基礎設施提案時，必須根據《國家環境政策法》（NEPA）規範，將溫室氣體排放納入考量。
NEPA是美國第一部主要環境法，1970年由美國前總統尼克森（Richard Nixon）簽署生效。NEPA要求聯邦機構在擬定重要計畫前須進行環境影響評估。NEPA僅適用聯邦計畫，包括由聯邦提供全部或部分經費，或是須通經聯邦許可審查的計畫。
這份指引由白宮環境品質委員會（CEQ）發布，將取代2016年提出、但後來遭川普撤銷的排放指引。
新指引讓審查標準更加明確，並明列出符合標準的工具與實務範例。CEQ主席馬洛里（Brenda Mallory）表示，新指引有助提高氣候智慧（climate-smart）與韌性，進而實現美國總統拜登（Joe Biden）所提的2050年淨零排放目標。
新指引強調「合理原則」（rule of reason），要求專案審查的分析深度應與其影響成正比。此外，新指引鼓勵再生能源和溫室氣體排放較低的計畫，這類計畫將比高排放的計畫更易通過審查。
新指引也要求聯邦機構必須量化間接排放數據。CEQ表示，「這麼做有助降低法律爭議，並且能提高氣候智慧決策所需的透明度。」
新指引列出評估氣候變遷影響的實務建議，鼓勵將社區參與納入計畫，並且在分析氣候影響時加入環境正義的項目。
CEQ指出，新指引能使聯邦機構獲取所需資訊，做出有助聯邦、州、部落、地區和地方實踐氣候目標的決定。
公益環境律師事務所「地球正義」（Earthjustice）主席狄倫（Abigail Dillen）表示，「我們支持這項政策。政府有責評估計畫對溫室氣體排放量、氣候衝擊、以及對第一線人民社區造成的影響，而新指引讓政府的責任更加明確。在NEPA所轄範圍下，這項指引對邁向公平正義、零碳排的未來至關重要。」
Earthjustice指出，美國化石燃料生產大多來自聯邦土地，包括40%的煤炭、1/5的石油和大約15%的天然氣；聯邦機構也負責州際、國際的石油和天然氣管線與出口設施的許可審查，而這些計畫都會助長化石燃料生產。森林扮演減碳與儲碳的重要角色，而美國國家森林局（USFA）和土地管理機構管理著上千萬公頃的森林。
新指引有助聯邦在審查或執行基礎建設和潔淨能源計畫時更聚焦環境議題、提高效率，進而促成永續發展。《跨黨基礎建設法》（Bipartisan Infrastructure Law）和《降低通膨法案》（Inflation Reduction Ac）所支持的計劃有不少都屬於這一類，
指引目前在公展階段，民眾可於2023年3月10日前提出意見。
In a new climate change guidance, the Biden Administration asks federal agencies to account for greenhouse gas emissions as they review proposals for clean energy and other infrastructure projects under the National Environmental Policy Act, commonly called NEPA.
NEPA was the first major environmental law in the United States, signed in 1970 by President Richard Nixon. NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major federal actions before making decisions. NEPA is only applicable to federal actions, including projects and programs entirely or partly financed by federal agencies and that require a federal permit or other regulatory decision.
Now, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, CEQ, has released an updated guidance, replacing the 2016 emissions guidance withdrawn by the Trump administration.
The updated guide provides more clarity and predictability for conducting reviews, highlights existing tools and best practices, and Mallory says it will make projects more climate-smart and resilient while helping reach President Joe Biden’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050.
The new guide emphasizes a “rule of reason,” that the depth of analysis in a project review should be proportional to that project’s impacts.
Projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions may come under lighter scrutiny than high-emitting projects because the new guide provides specific recommendations for renewable and low greenhouse gas projects.
The updated guidance clarifies the need to for agencies to quantify indirect emissions, which the CEQ says “will help projects avoid legal setbacks and provide transparency to help drive climate-smart decisions.”
It clarifies best practices for analyzing climate change effects, and advances environmental justice by encouraging agencies to “engage with affected communities and incorporate environmental justice considerations into climate-related analysis.”
And, the CEQ states, the new guidance, “Enables agencies to make informed decisions to help meet applicable Federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local climate action goals.”
Attorney Abigail Dillen who is president of the public interest environmental law firm Earthjustice, said, “We applaud the Biden administration’s steps to clarify the federal government’s responsibility to assess greenhouse gas emissions, impacts on climate, and consequences on frontline communities. As the agency with NEPA oversight responsibility, CEQ’s guidance is essential to leading federal agencies on our path to a just, zero emissions future.”
Earthjustice points out that, “Much of the nation’s dirty fossil fuel production comes from federal lands: 40% of coal, one-fifth of the oil, and about 15% of natural gas. Federal agencies also permit interstate and international pipelines and export facilities that encourage oil and natural gas production. The U.S. Forest Service and other land agencies manage hundreds of millions of acres of carbon-trapping forests.”
As Federal agencies review and build new infrastructure and clean energy projects, including those funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the updated guidance will improve sustainability while keeping environmental reviews focused and efficient.
The guidance, which CEQ is issuing as interim guidance and is available for public comment.
CEQ’s Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change is available for public comment through March 10, 2023.
※ 全文及圖片詳見：ENS
