Clean Water Act

Donald Trump

Trump Signs Two Executive Orders Limiting States' Authority Over Energy Pipelines

The Trump administration's "energy dominance" agenda depends, in part, on growing the energy distribution network, namely pipelines, rail facilities, and ports. However, states can use the Clean Water Act to block pipelines and coal terminals.

April 15, 2019 - InsideClimate News

Court Overrules U.S. EPA in Baltimore Runoff Case

Environmentalists challenged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and won.

March 29, 2019 - NRDC

Bay Area Wetlands

EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Propose Revision of Wetlands Definition

Fulfilling a promise he made as a candidate, the Trump administration proposed a redefinition of what is classified as a wetland, with the result being the loss of federal protection of millions of acres of waterways and wetlands.

December 14, 2018 - NPR

Biosolids Treatment Plant

The Sorry State of Environmental Enforcement in Texas

Industry is "routinely violating" clean water laws, but both state and federal regulators seem to be looking the other way.

March 20, 2018 - The Texas Observer

Floyds Fork Louisville

Louisville's Sprawl Threatens One of its Last Clean-Running Streams

New subdivision planning and construction is expected to expand the footprint of the Louisville metropolitan area. The question is whether those new developments will protect or harm the beloved Floyds Fork.

June 28, 2017 - Courier-Journal

280 Freeway San Francisco

Federal Infrastructure Grants: The Historical Trends

On the cusp of a new infrastructure proposal from the White House, how has federal spending changed over the last 70 years? What will it take to reach historical averages?

May 21, 2017 - Eno Transportation Weekly

Tennessee Valley Authority on Trial for Drinking Water Contamination from Coal Ash

Two environmental groups are suing the nation's largest public power utility for contaminating drinking water through prolonged leaks from coal ash ponds at TVA's coal-burning Gallatin Fossil Plant into the Cumberland River and ground water.

February 7, 2017 - The Tennessean

Climate Change Removed from White House Website

Well, that didn't take long! Goodbye Obama Clean Action Plan and restrictive environmental regulations; hello shale oil and gas revolution.

January 22, 2017 - Planetizen

Coal Railroad

Coal Train Lawsuit Settlement Leaves Unanswered Questions

A lawsuit in the state of Washington between environmentalists and BNSF Railway over the environmental impacts of coal trains has been settled out of court.

November 20, 2016 - Crosscut

Record Environmental Settlement Reached in 2010 BP Gulf Oil Spill

While a judge must approve the historic $18.7 billion settlement reached July 2, the United States and the five Gulf States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas have agreed to the settlement, along with BP.

July 6, 2015 - USA Today

Clean Water Rule Finalized—Clarifies Protection of Streams and Waterways

The Obama Administration has moved forward with "one of the most controversial environmental regulations in recent years."

May 27, 2015 - The Hill

Battle Over Federal 'Clean Water Rule' Heats Up

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have drafted a new Clean Water Rule to clarify the regulatory powers of the Clan Water Act. In response, some members of Congress authored opposing legislation.

May 7, 2015 - NRDC Switchboard

California Water Pipeline

California Drought Watch: Residential Builders Fear Moratoriums

Home builders fear bans on connections of homes to water systems, issued from the state and cities, will increase next month when Gov. Jerry Brown's new water mandates take effect June 1.

May 5, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal

Six Employees Indicted in West Virginia Water Contamination Debacle

Six chemical company employees have been charged, under the Clean Water Act, for an incident earlier this year that left 300,000 West Virginia residents without safe drinking water for more than a week.

December 18, 2014 - Associated Press

Golf Joins Agriculture to Oppose EPA's Proposed 'Water of the United States' Rule

Laura Barron-Lopez reports on the golf industry's reaction to proposed rules that would expand and clarify the regulatory powers of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers.

September 11, 2014 - The Hill

The Solution to Overloaded Water Infrastructure? Urban Conservation

Cities and suburbs face billions of dollars in investments and repairs to comply with Clean Water Act standards. The NRDC outlines some of the urban water conservation methods municipalities can take to reduce stress on these infrastructure systems.

August 13, 2014 - The Natural Resources Defense Council

Felony Suspected at North Carolina Coal Ash Spill

The Feb. 2 spill of coal ash slurry from a Duke Energy containment pond has taken a new turn with a federal grand jury issuing subpoenas for records from both Duke Energy and the state environmental regulator.

February 17, 2014 - The Charlotte Observer

transportation

Complicated Duality of Pacific Northwest's Green Image

The energy industry's plans to transport oil and coal bound for Asia via rail through the Pacific Northwest provokes outrage and a lawsuit.

August 26, 2013 - The New York Times

LA County Supervisors Propose Pavement Parcel Tax

Facing federal regulatory action for violating Clean Water Act standards, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors will consider a parcel tax weighted towards a property's amount of impervious pavement to fund programs to reduce stormwater pollution.

January 16, 2013 - The California Report

40 Years Later: The Way Forward for the Nation's Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act turns 40 this week. For Mark Gold, this calls for a celebratory overview of the many environmental successes it has produced, as well as careful consideration of the steps needed for it to be effective in years to come.

October 19, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

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