Enhancing NEPA Practice with AI: Tools, Ethics, and DOE’s PolicyAI Framework for Responsible Integration
December 9, 2024 | 11:30 AM (PT) / 2:30 PM (ET)
Speakers
Keith Benes, Senior Advisor, Department of Energy Lauren Schramm, NEPA Manager, Pond and Company
About
This 1.5-hour webinar, jointly presented by NAEP and the Department of Energy (DOE), explores the innovative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes and provides insights on DOE’s PolicyAI program for responsible AI use. As NEPA professionals face increasing data complexity, AI tools such as machine learning and natural language processing are transforming project assessments.
The first half of the presentation will focus on out-of-the-box AI tools that can be applied now to the NEPA process, detailing examples of practical applications, when to rely on the human element and limitations of the out-of-the-box tools. Emphasis will be placed on best practices for integrating AI into workflows to improve efficiency without compromising ethics.
DOE’s PolicyAI program will take center stage in the second half, addressing responsible AI use and limitations within NEPA frameworks. DOE will outline strategies for mitigating AI challenges, such as data bias, transparency, and interpretability, ensuring AI serves as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for expert judgment. This comprehensive session equips NEPA practitioners with actionable insights to effectively leverage AI, and the future of AI in the NEPA process.
Fred Wagner, Partner at Venable LLP P.E. "Pam" Hudson, Esq., Attorney, Federal Aviation Administration Michael D. Smith, PhD, Senior Vice-President, WSP Melanie Hernandez, Esq., CEP, Environmental Attorney, Scout
About
This webinar will mirror the Case Law presentation provided during the recent NAEP 2024 Conference & Training Symposium, with updates as warranted. The panel is focused on a paper that reviews substantive National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) cases issued by the United States Courts of Appeals. The implications of the decisions and their relevance to NEPA practitioners will be explained. This webinar will summarize the more detailed paper prepared for the 2024 conference session. The paper briefly explains, with an emphasis on the substantive NEPA findings, each opinion issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The paper identifies statistics regarding the NEPA appellate opinions, such as a twelve-year record of NEPA cases, organized by circuit, and by year. The paper also identifies the agencies involved in each case and presents statistics relevant to the agencies; the paper further identifies the prevailing ratio of federal agencies, including by agency and by document type (categorical exclusion, environmental assessment, environmental impact statement). The paper analyzes the trends in the court opinions involving NEPA, with an emphasis on substantive NEPA practice, and by the grouping of the cases.
Finally, each court opinion is paraphrased and organized in a manner easy to read for practitioners to find the court's ruling. Appellate opinions are grouped and analyzed by agency. Past trends include challenges to purpose and need, alternatives considered, public comment, scientific impact assessment methodologies, GHG emissions and climate change impact assessment, incomplete or unavailable information, determination of significance, segmentation, duty to supplement, connected actions, federal actions, cumulative impact assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and adaptive management. Suggestions for improving the implementation of the NEPA process and to meeting current challenges are offered, looking ahead to the future with a renewed emphasis on one of the world's oldest and most forward-looking environmental laws.
NEPA Phase II Regulatory Changes- Expert Panel Discussion
October 1, 2024 | 11:00 AM (PT) / 2:00 PM (ET)
Speakers
Fred Wagner, Partner at Venable LLP Ted Boling, Partner at Perkins Coie Ron Lamb, Retired Senior NEPA Project Manager for the U.S. Marine Corps.
About
On September 3rd NAEP hosted a webinar with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) on the recent changes to the NEPA implementing regulations. Now, join NAEP as we welcome a panel of industry experts and leaders on their reaction to these changes and what it means to agencies, project proponents, and consultants.
This presentation does not have an accompanying slide deck.
NEPA Phase 2 Implementation: The Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Final Rule
September 3, 2024 | 11:00 AM (PT) / 2:00 PM (ET)
White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Speakers
Megan Healy, Principal Deputy Director for NEPA Amy Coyle, Principal Deputy General Counsel Jomar Maldonado, Director for NEPA
About
NAEP is pleased to welcome speakers from the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) who will present the recently released final rule for revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The discussion will include an overview of the proposed rule and a Question-and-Answer session. Further details on the final rule can be found here: NEPA | National Environmental Policy Act - CEQ NEPA Implementing Procedures (doe.gov).
Climate Justice on an International Stage: Prelude to COP28 and Implications for Industry
December 15, 2023 8:30 AM (PT) | 11:30 AM (ET)
Speakers
Chris Whitehead QEP, CESM;Air Practice Leader, Enviro-Sciences Sunny Fleming, Environment & Conservation Industry Lead, Esri Maya Carrasquillo, Ph.D., University of California - Berkley
About
As climate-induced impacts continue to pile up it is unfortunately those in overburdened communities who often bear a greater percentage of these impacts. Many of you may have not heard the term climate justice before and may still just be wrapping your heads around environmental justice, but the two are intertwined and crucial concepts for planning industrial operations and building trust within your communities. Join Chris Whitehead (ESI), Sunny Fleming (ESRI), and Maya Carrasquillo (University of California - Berkley) for this informative event as we discuss what is climate justice, what actions are being taken on the topic, walk through a few case studies to show the importance of mapping these impacts, and plot a path forward to minimize risk of impact.
