From the Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will announce an executive order during a trip to Texas on Wednesday that could make it harder for states to scuttle pipelines and other energy projects based on concerns about their impact on water quality.
Trump has made it a priority to expand energy development in the United States, in part by rolling back government regulations.
Pointing to Washington state and New York, Republican lawmakers have complained about states using the permitting process to stop energy projects. A senior administration official told reporters there are problems with the way some states are interpreting Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. Under that section, companies must obtain certification from the state before moving ahead with an energy project.
Washington state blocked the building of a coal terminal. New York regulators stopped a natural gas pipeline when they determined it failed to meet standards to protect streams, wetlands and other water resources.
Trump’s executive order calls for the Environmental Protection Agency to consult with states, tribes and relevant agencies and issue updated guidance for the states to follow to comply with the intent of the landmark act.
The order will also call on the Transportation Department to propose a rule that would allow liquefied natural gas to be shipped in approved rail tank cars.
The second executive order Trump will announce Wednesday streamlines the process for energy infrastructure that crosses international borders.
Currently, the secretary of state has the authority to issue permits for cross-border infrastructure such as pipelines. The executive order clarifies that the president will make the decision on whether to issue such permits.
The move follows Trump’s decision last month to issue a new presidential permit for the long-stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline — two years after he first approved it and more than a decade after it was first proposed.
Trump is signing the orders in-between campaign fundraisers in San Antonio and Houston.
President Donald Trump is heading to Texas to raise re-election money in two counties that backed his Democratic opponent in 2016.
Republican Party Chair Ronna McDaniel said the pair of fundraisers would bring in at least $6 million to be shared by Trump’s re-election effort and the Republican National Committee.
GPA Midstream Association comments on presidential executive orders
Today President Donald Trump released several executive orders to speed pipeline project approvals.
The executive orders are focused, among other issues, on limiting state Clean Water Act reviews of federally permitted pipelines under section 401.
“We have previously seen some states use the 401 permit process to essentially stall valid pipeline projects, and that isn’t right,” said GPA Midstream President and CEO Mark Sutton. “I applaud this administration for taking a stand against this type of invalid action. Too often we see bureaucracies stopping growth; it’s great to see an administration promoting a pro-growth and pro-jobs agenda for the midstream industry.”
GPA Midstream Association represents over 80 corporate members of all sizes; most are U.S.-based companies, but the organization does have members across the globe as well. GPA Midstream members are engaged in the gathering and processing of natural gas into saleable pipeline gas, which are commonly referred to as “midstream” activities in the energy industry. As the primary advocates for the midstream industry, the association enhances the viability of natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil through research, technical, environmental, safety and advocacy activities.
