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www.concreteproducts.com September 2016 • 9 Environmental Quality. Following years of engagement and after receiving public comments and other feedback from mem- bers of Congress, state agencies, tribes, corporations, trade associations, and other stakeholders, it represents what the White House calls "another big step in the Admin- istration's effort to consider how all types of federal actions will impact climate change and identify opportunities to build climate resilience … The guidance is intended to help agencies make informed and transpar- ent decisions about the impacts of climate change associated with their actions." Under NEPA, federal agencies are required to consider and disclose the potential effects of their actions and decisions on the envi- ronment. In many cases, federal actions have the potential to contribute to climate change by producing greenhouse gas emis- sions or alternatively, be affected by many of the impacts of a changing climate, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather, drought and wildfires. The final guidance provides a level of predictability and certainty by outlining how federal agencies can describe these impacts through quantifying greenhouse gas emissions when conducting NEPA reviews, the White House contends, adding: "This increased predictability and certainty will allow decision makers and the public to more fully understand the potential climate impacts of all proposed federal actions, and in turn, assist agencies in comparing alter- natives and considering measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change." In addition to providing agencies with a reasoned approach as to how to describe climate change impacts, Administration offi- cial argue, the guidance: a) advises agencies to quantify projected greenhouse gas emis- sions of proposed federal actions whenever the necessary tools, methodologies, and data inputs are available; b) encourages agencies to draw on their experience and expertise to determine the appropriate level and the extent of quantitative or qualitative analysis required to comply with NEPA; c) counsels agencies to consider alternatives that would make the action and affected communities more resilient to the effects of a changing climate; and, d) reminds agencies to use existing information and science when assessing proposed actions. This guidance builds on 2010 and 2014 draft versions, and reflects consideration of comments and feedback received on both documents. The 2014 draft guidance was revised and finalized per recommen- dations to President Obama by the State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force. Mem- bers requested the document to ensure that projects and investments include adequate and coordinated consideration of the design or alternatives in relation to climate impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2010, the Administration cites a broad effort to modernize federal agencies' NEPA implementation to improve environ- mental reviews' transparency, efficiency and public involvement. Efforts include launch- ing a NEPA pilot program to identify and promote more efficient ways to do effective environmental reviews that can be replicated across the federal government, forming rapid response teams to help expedite the review process for transportation, transmission and renewable energy projects, and most recently, implementing title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act to expedite the permitting process for major infrastructure projects while improving environmental and community outcomes. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS REGULATIONS