"WASHINGTON — Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt is proposing surrendering some of his agency’s veto power over waste discharges near waterways by mining and development.

In a memo released Wednesday by the EPA, Pruitt directs the agency to study renouncing part of its authority under the half-century-old Clean Water Act to veto permits that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or states grant to allow dumping waste into waterways.

Pruitt’s proposal would eliminate his agency’s authority to exercise its veto before permits are applied for or after the Corps or states approve them."

Ellen Knickmeyer reports for the Associated Press June 27, 2018. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"EPA To Undercut Own Power To Block Polluting Projects" (Reuters) [3]

"Clean Water Act: Pruitt Restricts EPA Veto Power On Wetland Permits" (Greenwire) [4]