The House will vote this week on a sweeping water permitting bill that contains a laundry list of Republican priorities to fast-track energy projects, ease regulations and weaken EPA’s authority under the Clean Water Act.
The “Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act” is expected to pass after sailing through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last month. All committee Democrats voted against the bill.
Sponsored by Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chair Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and other Republicans on the committee, the bill would amend a slew of provisions under the Clean Water Act, the nation’s bedrock law for protecting water quality and safeguarding rivers, lakes and wetlands.
Environmental advocates say it would cripple EPA’s ability to protect people from emerging water contaminants, such as “forever chemicals.”
