Washington, New York will fight Trump order boosting coal, oil projects – “We will not allow this or any presidential administration to block us from exercising our authority lawfully and effectively”
By Joel Connelly
11 April 2019
(SeattlePI) – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designed to block states from using a provision of the Clean Water Act to delay or prevent big oil and coal projects such as a proposed coal export terminal in Longview on the Columbia River.
The states of Washington and New York are vowing to block Trump.
“No amount of politicking will change the facts — states have full authority under the Clean Water Act to protect our waters and ensure the health and safety over our people,” Gov. Jay Inslee and AG Bob Ferguson said in a joint statement.
“We will not allow this or any presidential administration to block us from exercising our authority lawfully and effectively.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York described the Trump order as “a gross overreach of federal authority” and vowed to fight it “tooth and nail.” The Empire State has denied a permit to the Constitution Pipeline, which would carry natural gas from Canada into New England.
Trump signaled that he, too, is ready for a fight. “My action today will cut through destructive permitting delays and denials,” he said in Houston on Thursday. The President singled out New York for allegedly “hurting the country.”
The President has told the Environmental Protection Agency to update “guidance” under the Clean Water Act, in a way that will keep such states as Washington and New York from denying permits to big energy projects. [more]
Washington, New York: We’ll fight Trump order boosting coal, oil projects
