Green Tape Elimination Act of 2025

The Green Tape Elimination Act of 2025 would provide a 10-year window during which hazardous fuel reduction activities on federal lands can proceed with substantially less regulatory review. Specifically, these activities would not count as a major Federal action under NEPA, and they would be exempt from certain environmental laws (Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Migratory Bird Conservation Act). Additionally, the bill would amend the Clean Air Act to allow excluding air quality monitoring data directly tied to such activities from air quality determinations if the activity is deemed to have a significant impact on air quality. Hazardous fuels are defined broadly (including trees, grasses, shrubs, sagebrush, chaparral, and dead material), and hazardous fuel reduction activities cover measures like fuel breaks, firebreaks, prescribed fire, wildland fire use, and mechanical methods (e.g., thinning, cutting, piling). The stated purpose is to streamline wildfire risk reduction on federal lands by reducing regulatory delays. While this could speed up fuel-reduction projects, it also limits protections for wildlife, cultural resources, and air-quality monitoring during the 10-year period.