States Sue EPA Over Water Rule, Alleging Loss of Veto Power (1)

A multistate coalition is suing the EPA over a rule that it claims limits the power of states to block infrastructure projects, such as interstate oil and gas pipelines, on water quality grounds.

Democratic Attorneys General Xavier Becerra of California, Bob Ferguson of Washington, and Letitia James of New York are leading a group of 20 states and the District of Columbia alleging that the new rule will hamper states’ ability to adequately review project proposals for water quality impacts.

Becerra said the rule “clears the deck for fossil fuel infrastructure” by limiting the scope of reviews states can conduct. ...