WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is restoring federal regulations that require rigorous environmental review of major infrastructure projects such as highways, pipelines and oil wells — including likely impacts on climate change and nearby communities. The longstanding reviews were scaled back by the Trump administration in a bid to fast-track projects and create jobs.

A rule finalized Tuesday will restore key provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, a bedrock environmental law designed to ensure community safeguards during reviews for a wide range of federal proposals, including roads, bridges and energy projects authorized in the $1 trillion infrastructure law Biden signed last fall, the White House said.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality said the new rule, which takes effect in late May, should resolve challenges created by the Trump-era policy and restore public confidence during environmental reviews.

“Restoring these basic community safeguards will provide regulatory certainty, reduce conflict and help ensure that projects get built right the first time,” said CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory. “Patching these holes in the environmental review process will help projects get built faster, be more resilient and provide greater benefits to people who live nearby.”

Former President Donald Trump overhauled the environmental reviews in 2020 in a bid to accelerate projects he said would boost the economy and provide jobs.

Trump made slashing government regulations a hallmark of his presidency. He and his administration frequently expressed frustration at rules they said unnecessarily slowed approval for interstate oil and gas pipelines and other big projects. The rule change imposed in 2020 restricted the timelines for environmental reviews and public comment and allowed federal officials to disregard a project’s role in cumulative effects, such as climate change.

The new rule comes as the Supreme Court reinstated a separate Trump-era rule that curtails the power of states and Native American tribes to block pipelines and other energy projects that can pollute rivers, streams and other waterways.

In a decision that split the court 5-4 earlier this month, the justices agreed to halt a lower court judge’s order throwing out the Trump rule. The decision does not interfere with the Biden administration’s plan to rewrite the Environmental Protection Agency rule. Work on a revision has begun, but the administration has said a final rule is not expected until next spring. The Trump-era rule will remain in effect in the meantime.

Contrary to frequent assertions by Trump and others in his administration, Mallory said a more rigorous environmental review will actually speed up completion of major projects, since they will be more likely to withstand a legal challenge by environmental groups or states. Many Trump-era environmental decisions were reversed or delayed by courts after findings they did not undergo sufficient analysis.

Environmental groups hailed the rule change, which they said restores bedrock environmental protections under NEPA, a 1970 law that requires the government to accept public comments and take environmental, economic and health impacts into consideration before approving any major project.

“NEPA plays a critical role in keeping our communities and our environment healthy and safe, and Donald Trump’s attempts to weaken NEPA were clearly nothing more than a handout to corporate polluters,″ said Leslie Fields, the Sierra Club’s national director of policy, advocacy and legal affairs.

Environmental groups and African American, Latino and tribal activists had protested the Trump-era rule change, saying it would worsen pollution in areas already reeling from oil refineries, chemical plants and other hazardous sites. The Biden administration has made addressing such environmental justice issues a key priority.

“Communities of color, especially, have relied on NEPA to make sure their voices are heard in decisions that have a profound impact on their health and their well-being,” said Rosalie Winn, a senior attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund, which challenged the Trump-era rule.

The White House action “reestablishes essential NEPA safeguards and ensures they will continue to protect people and communities today and in future generations,‴ she said.

Business groups and Republican lawmakers criticized the rule change, saying it would slow down major infrastructure developments.

“Important projects that address critical issues like improving access to public transit, adding more clean energy to the grid and expanding broadband access are languishing due to continued delays and that must change,″ said Chad Whiteman, vice president for environment and regulatory affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman, the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, said the White House action would “weaponize NEPA” by making it harder to navigate and more bureaucratic.

“At a time when we should be coalescing around bipartisan ways to lower gas prices, tame skyrocketing inflation and fix the supply chain crisis, President Biden is unfortunately reinstating archaic NEPA regulations that will only result in delays and red tape and feed activist litigation,″ he said.

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On March 9th, the House passed an omnibus appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2022 that will bring federal funding directly to California’s 36thDistrict. The package includes $10 million secured by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) to expand access to health care, bring clean water to the Eastern Coachella Valley, and drive economic growth in the 36th District.

“I am thrilled to see the House pass the $10 million in federal funding that I secured to bring new health care resources to Blythe, economic development to San Jacinto, infrastructure improvements to the Pass Area, and clean drinking water access to the Eastern Coachella Valley,” said Dr. Ruiz. “In addition, I’m thrilled to see the House pass funding that’ll launch an Army Corps of Engineers project at the Salton Sea, which will strengthen our all-hands-on-deck approach to this environmental and public health crisis. Once signed into law, this funding will bring incredible value to our communities, grow our local economy, and make a positive difference in the lives of my constituents.”

“Expansion and widening of Pennsylvania Avenue is a critical project for Beaumont and the Pass Area. These improvements will enhance access and help alleviate traffic congestion along I-10,” said Todd Parton, Beaumont City Manager. “This would not be possible without the tireless efforts of Congressman Ruiz. With his assistance, one of the area’s most vital retail centers will continue to flourish while much needed traffic relief is provided to area residents. Additionally, Beaumont will be able to reallocate our local dollars to other critical projects that benefit our community as well as the region.”

“We are excited to learn the House of Representatives will pass an appropriations packaged that includes funding for our water reservoir project. Constructing this water reservoir will secure the continued supply of reliable, clean, and safe drinking water and fire flow protection for our residents,” said Mayor Dale Reynolds of the City of Blythe. “The City appreciates Congressman Ruiz and the House Appropriations Committee for supporting this much needed water infrastructure project for the City of Blythe.”

“Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo would like to thank Congressman Ruiz and the House Appropriations Committee for providing $1M in support of the renovation and expansion of our primary care Health Clinic in Blythe,” said Yvonne Bell, President and CEO of Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo. The new facility will expand much needed access to health care for the low-income and remote community of Blythe. The renovation will allow us to serve more patients with the addition of 11 new exam rooms as well as newly added dental and integrated behavioral health services.”

“We are grateful of Congressman Ruiz’s partnership with CVWD and for his leadership in securing federal funding to support the Eastern Coachella Valley community,” said Coachella Valley Water District Board Vice President Cástulo R. Estrada. “These funds continue to advance CVWD’s priorities and initiatives in communities affected by the lack of water availability. Improvements to our potable system in the Eastern Coachella Valley promotes economic development opportunities that benefit the community and also helps spur the development of quality affordable housing. CVWD will continue to partner with Congressman Ruiz and is dedicated to improving the living conditions of the communities we serve.”

“The Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, a 39 year old nonprofit community development corporation, is pleased to learn of the funding approval of our Community Project grant application through Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz’s recommendation to the Appropriations Committee,” said Pedro S. G. Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. “The $500,000 in funding will provide much needed financing for renovations to our headquarters building in Indio, CA. The renovations will allow the agency to remain in Indio and continue its successful mission of improving the living conditions of low-income individuals and families by constructing and operating affordable housing infused with community services programs and other opportunities that enrich, build, and grow their lives. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., and his team for his support of our organization and the renovation grant application.”

“Loma Linda University Medical Center is delighted our request to establish a Federally Qualified Health Center in Rancho Mirage has been selected by the House Appropriations Committee,” said Dr. Richard Hart, President of Loma Linda University Health. “This new clinic will serve the expanding Medicaid (MediCal) population in this area, providing much needed clinical and preventive care. In partnership with SAC Health, Loma Linda is committed to serving this large population demographic with quality health care services. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Raul Ruiz for his assistance in obtaining this grant.”

“On behalf of the Palo Verde Hospital, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Congressman Ruiz for the $350,000 award and support in the Palo Verde Hospital’s Integrated Community Health Program-PVHICHP,” said Liz Manjarrez, Outreach Project Administrator of Palo Verde Hospial. “The ICHP will address the lack of services in low-income families that live in Blythe and it’s remote/isolated areas (Ripley, Mesa Verde, and Cibola). This award will provide much needed clinical services; therefore, will close the health care gap by providing remote whole person care such as, diabetes education, managed care in chronic illness, and primary/mental health services.”

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Ruiz and our Congressional delegation for securing this new funding to move the Corps’ feasibility study of a long-term Salton Sea management plan forward,” said Salton Sea Authority Executive Director Patrick O’Dowd. “The Authority looks forward to advancing that study in partnership with the local communities surrounding the Sea, the Corps and the State of California.”

“With economic development more important than ever, we appreciate Congressman Raul Ruiz’s continued efforts to seek passage of appropriations that will facilitate construction of the 10-acre Soboba Crossroads shopping center in San Jacinto,” said Isaiah Vivanco, Chairman of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians. “The benefits to our local communities, which will include an estimated 100 permanent jobs, enhanced local services, increased tax revenues, support for public services and new opportunities for business growth, will be reaped for many years to come. On behalf of the people of Soboba, I’d like to thank Dr. Ruiz and all others who worked tirelessly to secure funding for this all-important infrastructure project.”

Kelly O’Keeffe | Contributed

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Transformative home renovations don’t need to be complicated, nor do they need to cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of affordable DIY projects you can do in a weekend to add beauty to your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces. Here are a few to consider:

• Instant Ambiance: Most often associated with party decor, string lighting hung above back patios and decks can be used to create everyday ambiance. As for how to string the lights, the possibilities are endless. You may prefer taut, clean lines, slack zig-zags or concentric circles. Just be sure to use weatherproof lighting designed to withstand the elements.

• Stone Patio: A drab concrete patio, pool deck, garage floor or walkway can be an eyesore. Whether your concrete is older and looking stressed, shedding its latest coat of paint, slippery, stained — or new, but just gray and lifeless, there’s a very easy way to spruce things up that doesn’t require replacing the materials or involving a contractor. With a pre-mixed, factory-tinted stone coating system, such as the patent-pending SpreadStone Decorative Concrete Resurfacing Kit, just about anyone can add authentic stone character to any concrete floor or wall. It not only boosts aesthetics, but also adds traction for safer walking surfaces. The real stone coating performs well in all climates, standing up to water, snow, salt, UV exposure and extreme cold and heat.

“The best part? Application is fast and simple and you don’t need to be an artist to achieve great results,” says renovation expert, James Carey, co-host of “On the House,” a national home improvement show.

• Mount Shelving: Installing floating shelves onto otherwise bare walls adds coziness to living spaces while creating smart storage. The lightweight, easy-to-install Ambrosia Maple Rustic Mantel Shelf from Ornamental Mouldings & Millwork is a good choice, as it can be used as either a stand-alone floating shelf or fireplace mantel, and can be left as-is or stained to complement other elements in the room.

• Stone Countertops: Have you always wanted real stone countertops but didn’t want to spend thousands on a complete remodel? You can now roll a new stone surface over any existing countertop made of laminate, cultured marble, concrete, wood, tile and other solid surface with the high-performance SpreadStone Mineral Select Countertop Refinishing Kit from Daich Coatings.

Available in 10 colors, all of which feature mineral accents and highlights found in natural mined rock, the proprietary stone technology gives an elegant, environmentally-friendly facelift to surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms and other home interiors.

“If you can use a roller and paintbrush, you can create a new stone surface using this product,” says Peter Daich, president of Daich Coatings. “It’s an affordable, simple alternative to putting in a new stone slab and looks just as great.”

Unfortunately, there are many homeowners who avoid desired renovations, assuming that in order to make a true impact, they’ll need a huge budget and a lot of time. The truth is that there are transformative DIY updates you can execute affordably in just one weekend.

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