In the News: Clean Water Act

Washington Post reports: Biden administration wants to give more power back to states to block pipelines

Columbia Riverkeeper applauds Biden administration’s effort to restore Clean Water Act protections

“We rely on Oregon and Washington to take a stand for clean water. We are pleased that the Biden administration is planning to restore states’ rights to do so. From coal trains to fracked gas export terminals to dangerously hot water behind dams, state leaders must have the ability to protect clean water, the health of our families, and salmon. We are confident that the Biden administration will respect our states’ environmental goals. 

Trump tried to gut an important part of the Clean Water Act, section 401, which gives states the authority to veto federal permits that violate our states’ clean-water laws. Partnering with Tribal Nations and environmental groups, represented by Earthjustice, we sued the Trump administration to overturn Trump’s bad rule.   

Fixing this bad Trump-era rule was a top request by Columbia Riverkeeper and many allies to the Biden administration. Our legal and policy team will stay closely engaged in this important process.”  

-Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director, Columbia Riverkeeper