National Lab Discovery Series: PermitAI™: Using Artificial Intelligence to Accelerate Environmental Reviews and Permitting

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Originally held on May 19, 2026 – Hosted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy

About the Webinar

This National Lab Discovery Series webinar featured PermitAI™, an emerging artificial intelligence platform developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to help streamline and accelerate environmental reviews and permitting workflows. Built on a large dataset of historical environmental review documents, PermitAI combines specialized AI tools to help users locate relevant information faster, analyze data more efficiently, and support more informed permitting decisions.

During the session, PNNL researchers explored how AI-enabled tools are being developed to support agencies and organizations navigating the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Key Topics Covered

  • AI tools designed to support environmental reviews and permitting workflows
  • Use of large environmental review datasets to identify relevant analyses and summarize findings
  • Overview of PermitAI applications, including SearchNEPA, ChatNEPA, CommentNEPA, WriteNEPA, and EngageNEPA
  • Opportunities for testing, evaluation, partnership, and licensing
  • Live Q&A with PNNL researchers

Featured Speakers

  • Sameera Horawalavithana – Senior Data Scientist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
  • Bethel Tarekegne (Moderator) – Senior Energy Researcher, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory