Katherine Scarlett Confirmed as 13th Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality

9/18/2025

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Action Summary

Confirmation and Appointment: The Senate confirmed Katherine Scarlett as the 13th Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality on September 18, 2025.
Role and Responsibilities: Will serve as President Trump’s key advisor on environmental policies, lead the implementation of NEPA, and ensure streamlined environmental review and permitting processes to support economic prosperity and energy security.
Key Initiatives: Focus on modernizing the permitting process through technology, implementing bipartisan reforms such as the Fiscal Responsibility Act amendments to NEPA, and balancing environmental quality with economic growth.
Industry and Government Endorsements:
- Energy and Industry Groups: Praised by the American Exploration & Production Council, American Petroleum Institute, and National Association of Manufacturers for her pragmatic approach and expertise in permitting reforms.
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Recognized by American Wildlife Conservation Partners and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation for her commitment to clean air, water, land, and wildlife conservation.
- Infrastructure and Regulatory Stakeholders: Endorsed by ClearPath, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and Water and Sewer Distributors of America for her role in facilitating critical infrastructure projects.
- Legislative Leaders: Supported by Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Kevin Cramer, as well as former CEQ Chairs, highlighting her extensive experience and ability to modernize environmental policy.
Experience: Brings years of expertise from roles in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the White House Permitting Council, and previous service as CEQ’s Chief of Staff, demonstrating a strong foundation in both legislative and executive processes.

Risks & Considerations

The confirmation of Katherine Scarlett as Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) signals a potential shift towards more streamlined environmental review and permitting processes. This could lead to faster project approvals, impacting how Vanderbilt University plans and executes its infrastructure projects.
Scarlett’s focus on balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship may result in changes to environmental regulations that could affect Vanderbilt’s sustainability initiatives and compliance requirements.
The emphasis on modernizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process could introduce new technologies and methodologies that Vanderbilt may need to adopt to remain compliant with federal standards.
There is a risk that the prioritization of economic prosperity and energy security could lead to reduced emphasis on environmental protections, potentially affecting Vanderbilt’s environmental research and advocacy efforts.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Environmental Science and Engineering Programs may need to adjust their research focus to align with new federal priorities and opportunities for collaboration with government agencies.
The Office of Sustainability at Vanderbilt might need to reassess its strategies to ensure compliance with any new environmental policies and to leverage potential opportunities for funding and partnerships.
Vanderbilt’s Infrastructure Planning and Development could benefit from streamlined permitting processes, potentially accelerating campus development projects.
The Law School’s Environmental Law Program may see increased demand for expertise in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape and advising on compliance with new NEPA procedures.

Financial Impact

Streamlined permitting processes could reduce costs and time associated with infrastructure development at Vanderbilt, potentially freeing up resources for other initiatives.
Changes in federal environmental policies may impact funding opportunities for research and development in environmental sciences, necessitating adjustments in grant application strategies.
Vanderbilt may need to invest in new technologies and processes to comply with modernized NEPA requirements, which could have budgetary implications.
There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to collaborate with federal agencies and industry partners on projects that align with the new CEQ priorities, potentially leading to new funding and research opportunities.

Relevance Score: 3 (The confirmation presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential changes in environmental policy that could impact university operations and research.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments in environmental policy and permitting processes under Katherine Scarlett’s leadership at the Council on Environmental Quality. This will be crucial for understanding potential impacts on university research projects and infrastructure developments that may require federal environmental reviews.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment should explore opportunities to collaborate with federal agencies and industry partners on projects that align with the administration’s focus on energy security and economic growth. Engaging in research and development initiatives that support sustainable energy solutions could enhance Vanderbilt’s role in shaping national energy policies.
Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should assess the implications of streamlined permitting processes for infrastructure projects. By understanding these changes, the school can better prepare students and faculty for careers in engineering fields that will be impacted by new federal policies.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader societal impacts of the administration’s environmental policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community dynamics. Sharing these findings with policymakers and the public can enhance Vanderbilt’s role as a thought leader in environmental policy.

Opportunities

The confirmation of Katherine Scarlett presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Environmental Law Program to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the program can influence how federal environmental policies are shaped and implemented.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on permitting reform by developing new programs and partnerships with government and industry stakeholders. This could include joint research initiatives, student internships, and collaborative projects that enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in the environmental sector.
The emphasis on modernizing the NEPA process offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Data Science Institute to engage in research and development of advanced technologies that support efficient environmental reviews. By leveraging its expertise in data analytics and technology, the institute can contribute to the design and evaluation of innovative solutions for environmental policy challenges.
By engaging with the broader environmental community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on environmental reform. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of environmental policies can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative environmental thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The confirmation of Katherine Scarlett as Chair of the CEQ presents potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on environmental policy and permitting processes.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.6

Timeline for Implementation

N/A — No specific deadlines or timelines are mentioned in the text; it primarily focuses on the confirmation and the continuation of ongoing policies and procedures.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ): Katherine Scarlett’s confirmation directly impacts CEQ, as it will now lead the agency’s mandate to advise the President on environmental policies and implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) across the Federal government.
The White House: As the appointment comes from the President and signals a shift in executive environmental policy and permitting reform efforts, the White House is also directly impacted.

Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 government agencies are directly impacted by the appointment.)

Responsible Officials

Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (Katherine Scarlett) – Tasked with advising the President on environmental policies and leading the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as coordinating reform efforts across federal agencies.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives impact an agency head responsible for executing and coordinating high-level federal environmental policy.)