The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed curbing states’ veto power over pipelines, coal export terminals and other infrastructure, laying the groundwork for a shift under the Clean Water Act that congressional Republicans have pushed for in permitting talks.
GOP lawmakers praised the EPA proposal, which would replace a Biden-era policy they said has impeded energy development. But while the EPA rule could ease concerns about permitting delays, lawmakers will continue their push to codify similar changes into law.
“We want to make durable changes to the law to ensure the certification process is focused on water quality — not other extraneous issues that are not under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act,” Justin Harclerode, a spokesperson for Republicans on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said in an email Tuesday.
EPA’s proposal would streamline a process under the Clean Water Act that energy companies and Republicans say has been “weaponized” by blue states.
