On April 23, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced that the Department was implementing emergency permitting procedures to accelerate the development of domestic energy resources and critical minerals. The procedures are intended to expedite the review and approval of energy projects, including crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal energy, kinetic hydropower, and critical minerals. The new directive comes in response to President Donald Trump’s declaration of a National Energy Emergency in January and utilized emergency authorities under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.

“The United States cannot afford to wait,” said Secretary Burgum. “President Trump has made it clear that our energy security is national security, and these emergency procedures reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting both. We are cutting through unnecessary delays to fast-track the development of American energy and critical minerals—resources that are essential to our economy, our military readiness, and our global competitiveness. By reducing a multi-year permitting process down to just 28 days, the Department will lead with urgency, resolve, and a clear focus on strengthening the nation’s energy independence.”

The Department then announced on May 12 that it would utilize these new procedures to provide swift environmental reviews for the Velvet-Wood Mine project in San Juan County, Utah. According to the statement, the project would “would produce uranium and vanadium by accessing the old Velvet Mine workings and developing the Velvet-Wood mineralization. The plan would result in only three acres of new surface disturbance given the proposed underground mining plan and the existing surface disturbance from the old Velvet mine. Anfield also owns the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah, which the company intends to restart. That mill would convert uranium ore into uranium concentrate, helping reduce America’s reliance on imported uranium concentrate.”

“Today’s actions will greatly accelerate the permitting review of the Velvet-Wood,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. “By fast-tracking the review process for the project, we are driving American Energy Dominance and ensuring our nation’s energy security.”

The Department has developed a list of frequently asked questions pertaining to the emergency procedures.