Article

EPIC 10 Year Anniversary Celebration

Introduction

n January 2025, the Trump Administration issued an executive order declaring a national energy emergency, directing federal agencies to accelerate the approval of critical energy infrastructure projects. In response, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) interpreted this directive to allow for a shortened Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) review period of 28 days.

ICF recently supported the Bull Mountains coal mine to develop the first-ever EIS to be approved under this accelerated timeline, marking a significant shift in how environmental reviews may be conducted under emergency provisions.

For energy developers looking to take advantage of this expedited process, here are four key lessons to help you prepare:

Key Takeaways

Predicting which customers are likely to churn: Developing a model to identify customers at risk of leaving the company.
Identifying key factors driving churn: Using ML to uncover the main reasons why customers are leaving.
Recommending personalized retention interventions: Creating a system that suggests specific actions to retain individual customers.
Forecasting long-term revenue impact of churn: Estimating how churn rates will affect future revenues over time.

1. John Echeverri Understand the agency’s interpretation of the emergency order

Not all agencies interpret the executive order the same way. For example, while OSMRE implemented a 28-day review window, other agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service may adopt different timelines or procedural requirements. Before initiating your EIS, engage early with the lead agency to understand:

Whether your project qualifies under the emergency order.
What the agency’s specific timeline and procedural expectations are.
When the official timeline for the emergency procedure begins.
This clarity is essential to avoid missteps and ensure your project stays on track.

2. Front-load the public engagement process

In the accelerated EIS, the only public comment period occurred during the initial Notice of Intent (NOI). The traditional draft and final EIS public review periods were skipped to expedite the 28-day EIS. To mitigate legal and reputational risks:

Conduct robust public outreach during the NOI phase.
Gather and address stakeholder concerns early.
Document all engagement efforts thoroughly.

This proactive approach helps build a defensible record and reduces the likelihood of litigation.

3. Build a comprehensive tracking system for EIS components

With limited time for revisions, the EIS must be nearly final before submission to the agency for final review. That means:

All baseline studies (e.g., air quality, wildlife, socioeconomics) must be complete.
Alternatives must be clearly defined and evaluated.
Impact mitigation strategies should be well-documented.
Completion of an administrative final document.

A centralized tracking system ensures that all components are aligned, reviewed, and ready for agency evaluation.

Leading the way in accelerated EIS approvals

The fast-tracked environmental impact statement requires experience navigating this unprecedented timeline. For energy developers, success under this new paradigm hinges on preparation, precision, and proactive engagement. By prioritizing these lessons, you’ll not only navigate the compressed timeline—you’ll lead the way in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

Conclusion

Framing ML problems with a structured, business-centric approach is critical for delivering successful outcomes. By aligning ML initiatives with strategic priorities from the onset, this framework maximizes the odds of driving meaningful organizational impact. It ensures that technical efforts are directly contributing to business goals and that resources are utilized effectively.