Government Energy Policy, Business and Technology

Democrats see changes in S. 3303 as threat to cooperative federalism

Oil & Gas Journal: US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Democrats questioned whether a bill proposed by Republicans, ostensibly to make minor changes in a Clean Water Act (CWA) project permit certification provision, actually would undermine the bedrock cooperative federalism principle that helps federal and state governments work together.

“When it comes to protecting the environment, we have a solemn responsibility to do everything we can to protect clean water. Unfortunately, the bill we are hearing testimony on today…would fundamentally alter the role states have in permitting projects that cross rivers, streams, and wetlands,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said in the Democrats’ opening statement at an Aug. 16 committee hearing about S. 3303. Committee Chairman John A. Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and four GOP cosponsors introduced the measure previously (OGJ Online, July 31, 2018).

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