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. 

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• Reuters: Trump set to limit states’ ability to block energy projects in water rule
• The New York Times: E.P.A. moves to limit states’ ability to block pipelines
• Inside Climate News: New EPA proposal would strip states’ and tribes’ authority to block oil and gas pipelines, other infrastructure projects
• Daily Kos: Blog: Trump rolls back critical clean water & air quality protections as Delta ecosystem collapses