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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsScott Pruitt suspends Obama-era Clean Water Rule for two years
I really, really hate these people.
https://grist.org/article/scott-pruitt-suspends-obama-era-clean-water-rule-for-two-years/
Scott Pruitt suspends Obama-era Clean Water Rule for two years
By Jackie Flynn Mogensen on Feb 1, 2018
This story was originally published by Mother Jones and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
On Wednesday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt formally suspended the Obama-era Clean Water Rule for two years, while the Trump administration works to repeal and replace the rule with their own, industry-friendly version.
Also known as Waters of the United States (WOTUS), the rule was established by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers in 2015. Largely celebrated by environmental groups, it expanded the protection of headwaters, streams, and 20 million acres of wetlands under the 1972 Clean Water Act. It also held farmers and real estate developers accountable for runoff pollution in streams running through their property. Over 100 parties initially challenged Obamas rule, including business groups and some Republican officials, arguing that it was an overstep of government power.
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Shortly after taking office, President Trump issued an executive order directing the EPA and the Department of the Army to rescind or revise the rule. In June, administration officials signed a proposed rule that aimed to revert environmental protection standards of water and wetlands to pre-Obama levels. A month later, it was published in the Federal Register. Wednesdays action buys time for the administration to officially kill the rule.
As expected, environmental groups are outraged over the Trump administrations decision to roll back WOTUS. Jon Devine, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Councils Water Program, said in a statement the action is grossly irresponsible, and illegal and [the NRDC] will challenge it in court. Last year, the Environmental Defense Funds senior vice president for ecosystems, David Festa, said in a blog post that the Trump administrations rationale for withdrawing the rule is arbitrary and dead wrong.
True Dough
(17,311 posts)What's not to love?
safeinOhio
(32,690 posts)Ohiogal
(32,010 posts)Who'd a thunk we'd be going backwards in time in regards to clean air and clean water?
dalton99a
(81,526 posts)Ilsa
(61,695 posts)dalton99a
(81,526 posts)beachbum bob
(10,437 posts)and using Pruitts/trump's scuttling of protectionscould become a big issue against walker in upcoming relection bid if the democrats can field a real candidate that could beat him....