cBrain’s Post

New permitting technology report just dropped! A year in the making, I'm thrilled to see our NEPA and Permitting Technology Report to Congress released out in the world this week. A few highlights: - Data standards will drive interoperability between agency systems, - Build tools that improve community and environmental outcomes by informing project site selection early and engaging communities throughout the process, - Hire in-house technology experts to unlock value through user-research, product management, iterative development, and rapid deployment on low-code platforms, - Listen to users and build tools that make the jobs of front-line permitting staff more efficient (i.e., automate routine processes), and - There's a Federal workforce that is excited about a digital transformation of the permitting process and they're already out there hard at work, let's empower them! Huge thanks to the diverse team of environmental and technology experts that made this report a reality, and the countless others who demoed tools for us, sat down for interviews, and shared their time and experiences with us: Ana Unruh Cohen, Jomar Maldonado, Sophie Godfrey-McKee, Jordan Eccles, Kendra Kostek, Emma Su, Bianca Majumder, Bret Mogilefsky, Amy Coyle, Steven Hardegen, Megan Healy, Katry Parr Harris, Lem Thomas, David Yi, Marc Poling, Rebecca Higgins, Rachel Houge, Christine Bath, Kelly Taylor, Jennifer Moyer, Boon Sheridan, Jennifer Damis, CUA, Natasha I., Komal Rasheed, CSM, CSPO, Thomas L. Sharp

The White House's initiative to leverage technology for streamlining federal permitting processes is a significant step towards efficiency & transparency. As environmental regulations and infrastructure projects become increasingly complex, modernizing the permitting process is essential for timely and effective decision-making. CRG Client Opportunities & SME Advice - Unified Permitting Systems Development: 1. Advanced Interoperable Systems: Develop advanced, interoperable software systems that unify data submission & tracking across multiple agencies. Focus on creating modular systems with standardized APIs to facilitate seamless data exchange.   - Differentiator: Leveraging interoperable systems reduces redundancy & enhances data integrity, ensuring a more streamlined & user-friendly permitting process. 2. Data Standards & Taxonomy: Implement robust data standards & taxonomies to ensure consistent data formats & definitions across all federal agencies. Utilize these standards to automate data validation & streamline the submission process.   - Differentiator: Standardized data protocols improve accuracy and reduce administrative burdens, leading to faster processing times. 3. Agile and Human-Centered Design: Adopt agile development methodologies & human-centered design principles to create flexible & user-friendly permitting platforms. Engage end-users throughout the development process to ensure the systems meet their needs.   - Differentiator: Agile & user-centered approaches enhance system adaptability & user satisfaction, ensuring the tech evolves with user needs. 4. Enhanced Digital Tools & Training: Develop comprehensive digital tools that provide real-time updates, automated notifications & centralized access to all permitting information. Additionally, implement extensive training programs for agency staff to maximize the effectiveness of these tools.   - Differentiator: Advanced digital tools improve communication & transparency, while training ensures staff can fully utilize these systems. 5. Government-Wide Digital Strategy: Formulate a coordinated, government-wide digital strategy that aligns NEPA & related permitting processes with modern technological practices. This strategy should include guidelines for agile development, data sharing & inter-agency collaboration.   - Differentiator: A unified digital strategy ensures cohesive efforts across all levels of government, enhancing overall efficiency & coordination. CRG's extensive global network and expertise in digital transformation and regulatory compliance ensure clients gain a strategic advantage through innovative solutions and seamless integration. Our advisory services drive operational efficiency and maintain competitive superiority. Visit crgroupinc.com or contact us at contact@crgroupinc.com for more information. #CRG #WhiteHouse #PermittingReform #FederalAgencies #Environmental #DigitalTransformation #RegulatoryCompliance #Agile #TechStrategy #Modernization

At Ecobot, we're big proponents of how technology can revolutionize environmental permitting, not only in terms of efficiency and accuracy, but cross-team collaboration, data standardization, and more. Today, the White House Council for Environmental Quality issued a 78-page report emphasizing the need for Federal agencies to adopt modern technology platforms to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of NEPA processes. Key recommendations include: ❇ Developing and implementing data standards ❇ Supporting technology development and adoption ❇ Utilizing agile development and user-centered design ❇ Promoting cross-agency collaboration and shared services These steps aim to streamline environmental reviews, accelerate infrastructure projects, and improve public engagement. ❓ For the community: How do you see this guidance informing your integration of digital efforts into your work? At Ecobot, we've been glad to participate in earlier conversations with the Permitting Council as they prioritize implementing technology best practices across Federal agencies to improve the permitting process. You can read the press release by CEQ here: https://lnkd.in/ef4ni7Hn

📣 The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) just delivered it's report on how technology can help accelerate #environmentalpermitting. Every day we see examples of how established emerging tech can lead the way to better permitting outcomes—for the government, projects, and our communities. It's time to take up this once-in-a-generation opportunity for permitting innovation. 💡 Check out our blog on key take-aways from the report ⤵ https://lnkd.in/gT2MwRNA

“The most objectionable feature of the Fast-track Approvals Bill is the systematic attempt that has been made to exclude consideration of the risk of environmental harm at every turn.” This morning the Commissioner presented oral submission today to the Environment Select Committee on the Fast-track Approvals Bill. He laid out the problems with the Bill and offers recommended amendments including: 🟢 The quality of the environment must be a condition for entry into the fast-track process and any recommendation to proceed – and this must be reflected in the purpose clause of the Bill. 🟢 The Minister for the Environment must have a role in respect of entry into fast-track, the right to be invited to comment by and as a final decision maker. 🟢 Limit eligibility to projects that are likely to deliver high levels of public benefit (as distinct from private benefit), exclude those that have previously been declined, and devise a means to allow public input to panels by organisations representing the public interest. 🟢 Leave the final decision to approve projects with the expert panel that assesses them. You can read the Commissioner’s full presentation here: https://lnkd.in/gdxEwCvB You can watch the presentation here: https://lnkd.in/gTPRShrC (starts 16.12)

Environmental Management Software (EMS) is like a digital superhero for businesses that want to be eco-friendly. Imagine it as a smart computer program that helps companies keep an eye on how they use resources like energy and water, how much waste they produce, and how it affects the environment. With EMS, businesses can easily check if they are following environmental rules and regulations. #EnvironmentalManagement

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment provides solid points highlighting flaws and lack of democratic process in the proposed Fast Track Bill. You can watch his submission presentation in the link, if you're interested 🙂.

Climate mitigation and resilience will will succeed or fail based on the government’s ability to quickly and effectively permit, site, build, and deploy built and natural infrastructure in the months and years ahead. Policy and process reform play a key role in simplifying and speeding up the permitting, but so too does higher quality data and user-centered technology. As such, we've identified more than a dozen ways in which technology could bolster permitting: the first up is Operationalizing Rules + Regulations: https://lnkd.in/eNr7mMKJ With our partners at Federation of American Scientists we hope this series will educate folks on the status quo and highlight opportunities for both low-tech and more complex solutions. Our goal will be to share examples that already exist and could be quickly implemented. Check it out!

Onerous permitting processes, whether required at the federal level or undertaken by cities and states delays projects, harms neighborhoods that need the infrastructure help and as this important piece reflects actually harms the environment. Time matters and improvements are possible consistent with the intended goals of the permitting process. #cities, #infrastructure #sustainability

The integration of technology boosts safety and efficiency in environmental contracting through real-time monitoring and remote operations. Full post: The Role of Technology in Environmental Contracting: Improving Outcomes https://lnkd.in/g8V6RKB3