New Environmental Review Process Will Boost Infrastructure Projects
The Trump administration today proposed regulatory reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act that will boost infrastructure projects that are needed to support residential land development projects.
“The plan to reform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is the most recent example of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce harmful regulations that hurt small businesses and impede economic growth,” said NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde. “Updating NEPA will streamline the federal permitting process and allow badly needed transportation and infrastructure projects to move forward. In turn, this will build strong communities and support a thriving housing market.”
NEPA was intended to provide an important environmental check on major federal actions. However, it has often been misused to improperly delay or prohibit vital infrastructure projects or to thwart implementation of needed reforms to federal environmental regulations.
NAHB CEO Jerry Howard represented NAHB at the White House event announcing the proposed overhaul on how federal agencies will implement NEPA. NAHB believes the administration deserves credit for its actions to remove federal regulatory barriers across all federal agencies that impact the larger U.S. economy, including regulations that affect housing.
“We welcome any NEPA reforms that streamline the regulatory process and reduce unnecessary costs and delays,” said Howard. “At the same time, we urge President Trump and the administration to continue their efforts to highlight and eliminate regulatory barriers to affordable housing at all levels of government.”
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Latest Economic News
Consumer credit growth accelerated in the third quarter of 2026, with both revolving and nonrevolving credit increasing at their fastest quarterly rates since 2022. Total outstanding consumer credit reached $5.22 trillion, continuing an upward trend that has strengthened over the past year.
Inflation remained elevated in October even as energy prices eased, raising expectations of another Fed rate hike. Shelter returned as the largest driver of headline inflation, accounting for over 30% of the monthly increase. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy components, rose by 0.3% for the third consecutive month, suggesting broad-based price pressures across the economy.
Wage growth for residential building workers showed signs of a modest rebound in September 2026 following a sharp slowdown earlier in the year. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nominal wage growth picked up from its June pace, although it remained relatively modest.