The Department of the Interior, under Secretary Doug Burgum, announced on Wednesday a sweeping reform to dramatically accelerate the permitting process for energy and mineral development. The Interior Department permit that once took years will now be reviewed in as little as 28 days, a move driven by President Donald Trump’s National Emergency Declaration to boost national energy security.
The new emergency permitting procedures are aimed at slashing bureaucratic delays and unlocking American energy potential. Included in the streamlined process are crude oil, natural gas, refined petroleum, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal energy, hydropower, and a wide array of critical minerals essential for national defense and economic strength.
Burgum emphasized the urgency in a written statement, stating, “The United States cannot afford to wait. President Trump has made it clear that our energy security is national security.” He added that this overhaul will “fast-track the development of American energy and critical minerals—resources that are essential to our economy, our military readiness, and our global competitiveness.”
Using emergency authorities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act, the department will now implement an alternative NEPA compliance process. Environmental assessments will be completed in 14 days, and full environmental impact statements in 28 days—a significant reduction from the usual one to two-year timelines.
In March, Burgum reiterated this urgency at a Breitbart News policy event, outlining a four-part strategy for U.S. energy dominance: “map baby map, mine baby mine, build baby build,” and the well-known “drill baby drill.” He stressed the importance of restoring affordable, reliable baseload power to stabilize the national grid, which he said has grown dangerously dependent on intermittent and costly sources.
The Interior Department confirmed the changes will immediately take effect, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to strengthening energy independence, economic resilience, and military preparedness in the face of global instability.
