What does Preamble of Making Reviews Certain Act do?

This bill proposes amendments to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The stated purpose is to clarify the scope of review. It also aims to establish limits for judicial review of environmental documents relating to energy infrastructure.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Making Reviews Certain Act do?

This bill is formally titled the 'Making Reviews Certain Act'.

What does SCOPE OF REVIEW. of Making Reviews Certain Act do?

This section amends Section 106 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The heading of Section 106 is modified to include 'scope of review'. Federal agencies are only required to consider effects that have a reasonably close causal relationship to, and are proximately caused by, the immediate project or action under consideration.

What does LIMITATIONS ON JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS of Making Reviews Certain Act do?

This section amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to establish limitations on judicial review of environmental documents relating to energy infrastructure. Claims challenging compliance with the Act are barred unless filed within 180 days of the final agency action being made public, or a shorter deadline specified by law. To challenge an action, a party must have submitted a substantive and unique comment during the public comment period, suffered or imminently will suffer direct harm, and cannot challenge the establishment of a categorical exclusion. ’Energy infrastructure’ is defined as facilities and equipment used for energy-related activities, including identification, leasing, development, and generation. A court cannot vacate a final agency action unless it determines the action poses a significant risk of environmental harm and no other equitable remedy is available. If a court finds errors or deficiencies, it may remand the document to the agency for correction within 180 days, and the major Federal action may proceed during this period unless vacatur is deemed appropriate.

What does DEFERENCE TO AGENCIES IN JUDICIAL REVIEW. of Making Reviews Certain Act do?

This section amends Section 111 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It adds a definition of 'reasonably foreseeable' regarding environmental effects of proposed agency actions. The definition specifies that 'reasonably foreseeable' effects must share a reasonably close causal relationship to, and be proximately caused by, the immediate project or action.

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Making Reviews Certain Act

Last updated: 4/13/2026 · Introduced: 4/13/2026

Author: Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill modifies the National Environmental Policy Act to limit agency consideration of environmental effects to those with a reasonably close causal relationship to the proposed project.
It establishes a 180-day deadline for filing lawsuits challenging compliance with the Act regarding energy infrastructure projects, requiring plaintiffs to have previously submitted unique comments and demonstrate direct harm.
Courts reviewing environmental documents related to energy infrastructure can only vacate actions if significant environmental harm is likely and no other remedy is available, allowing projects to proceed while deficiencies are corrected.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 3 more.

5 sections

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