His bill would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and limit the EPA’s authority to pre-emptively or retroactively veto Clean Water Act permits.
“The U.S. mining industry welcomes the clarity provided by Rep. Gibbs’ legislation, which addresses serious concerns with EPA’s regulatory overreach under the CWA,” said Hal Quinn, president and CEO, National Mining Association (NMA). “His legislation clarifies when EPA has the authority to veto or preempt permitting decisions by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Sec. 404(c), and will ensure that such decisions are made in a fully informed, fair and transparent manner.
“With the EPA continuing to extend its regulatory reach over our nation’s waters and lands, businesses need more durable assurances that their investments will not be perpetually exposed to the agency’s whims,” Quinn said. “Mr. Gibbs’ legislation draws reasonable bounds around EPA’s authority, and provides job creators the regulatory certainty and due process they deserve.”
