Supreme Court reinstates Trump's Clean Water Act

Supreme Court Reinstates Trump-Era Rule Despite Objection from Biden Administration

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reinstated a Trump-era rule on enforcing the Clean Water Act. The rule limits the authority of states to block federal permits, including for fossil fuel projects.

The court ruled 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts joining liberal Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor in dissent.

According to The New York Times, the court’s unsigned order gave no reason for the reinstatement, as is typical of rulings on emergency applications. The application for reinstatement was filed by eight Republican-led states and energy industry groups. [WesternJournal]

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, the American Petroleum Institute, the Interstate National Gas Association of America, and the National Hydropower Association all praised the Supreme Court’s action, saying it will ensure that critical energy projects can move forward without needless delay.