Exclusive — GOP Bill Would Codify Trump-Era Rule Blocking States from Stifling Pipeline Construction

Breitbart ^ | 27 Jul 2022 | KATHERINE HAMILTON

[SoConPubbie]

Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) is seeking to codify a Trump-era rule that limits states throwing up regulatory roadblocks to pipeline construction, Breitbart News learned exclusively on Wednesday.

The congressman and Trump-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate is set to introduce a bill on Thursday which would cement the 2020 Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule. The rule was created to limit states’ review power after Republicans in Congress reported that some states were using the permitting process detailed in Section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to stop new energy projects.

The bill is the House companion to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito’s (R-WV) Section 401 Certification Act, which was introduced in November of 2021. Budd told Breitbart News in a statement that his bill, entitled the “Build More Pipelines Act,” would help encourage U.S. energy independence and lower fuel costs.

The congressman explained:

As working families struggle to afford to put gas in their tanks, the need for America to return to energy dominance is needed now more than ever. The Trump administration prevented states from abusing Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to block the building of energy pipelines. My bill simply codifies this common sense rule so that we can build more pipelines and lower the price of fuel.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is meant to be used to allow states and tribes to protect the quality of their waters from adverse impacts resulting from federally licensed or permitted projects. The bill text explains that in years preceding the enactment of the 401 Certification Rule, “states have denied water quality certifications… for reasons other than protecting water quality, such as downstream green house emissions.” Former President Donald Trump’s rule established that states are not allowed to consider factors that have nothing to do

[EQAndyBuzz]

DOA

[Common Sense 101]

More of what passes as “courage” from the gutless POS Repukelicans... introduce a bill three months before the election that should have been passed three years ago, knowing full well it doesn’t have a chance of passage... scumbags.

[hanamizu]

DOA

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Really. Won’t get out of committee, won’t be voted on by either house, won’t be signed by FJB even if we win both houses this fall. Totally pointless. Republican lawmakers need to focus on stopping the crap the dems are trying to ram down our throats.

[monkeyshine]

We don’t hear the interstate commerce argument much anymore...

[TimSkalaBim]

I’m sure his email fundraising solicitations mentioning what he’s “done” are going out right now...

[aquila48]

A waste of time.

[gibsonguy]

Exactly, this is just throwing a bone to the base and a wast of time. It goes nowhere for three years if ever.

[Lower Deck]

I don’t see this passing. Maybe after the mid-terms.