The Trump administration issued a proposal Tuesday that would clamp down on state water quality reviews and veto authority under the Clean Water Act.
The rule targets Section 401 of the law, which authorizes states and tribes to assess pollution risks from pipelines, hydropower dams and other major infrastructure before they can be approved by a federal agency.
EPA officials said the proposal would reduce “regulatory overreach” and prevent states from unlawfully slowing down projects.
“Our proposed rule would maximize efficiency and eliminate delays in Clean Water Act permitting to unleash energy dominance and strengthen the economy,” Jess Kramer, EPA assistant administrator for water, said on a call with reporters.
Changing the Clean Water Act certification process has been a priority for Republicans and some Democrats seeking to speed up the nation’s permitting process. EPA’s proposal could make it harder for states to reject projects based on climate change and other environmental concerns.
