Streamline Pipeline Permitting
Issuance of pipeline construction permits should be routine and expeditious. In many highly populated areas of the country, consumers and businesses alike suffer high and volatile energy costs during peak demand periods. This is not due to lack of energy supplies. It is because there is insufficient pipeline capacity to deliver those supplies to areas of greatest need. A major cause is delay in permitting new pipeline construction.
Some states are abusing the Clean Water Act's Section 401 permitting process to deny permits based on objections having nothing to do with water quality, contrary to the intent of the law. EPA should finalize and issue new rules that prevent states from impeding project approvals on political or ideological grounds rather than clear and objective water quality criteria.
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