Modernizing Water Regulation | Featuring Senator Shelley Moore Capito

Описание: February 26, 2026 - There is a bipartisan desire for federal permitting reform. While much of the attention is usually on the National Environmental Policy Act, other environmental statutes, including the Clean Water Act (CWA) are arguably far more important to reform.

The Environmental Protection Agency has retroactively and preemptively vetoed CWA dredge and fill permits. Some states have used Section 401 certification under the CWA to block projects for reasons that have nothing to do with water quality. And private property owners across the country are often faced with unreasonably severe penalties, including criminal liability, for violating the CWA without having any reasonable basis for knowing they are violating the law. These are just some of the problems that need to be addressed.

The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) held a conversation on why CWA reform is so important, featuring keynote remarks from Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.

Senator Capito's remarks were followed by a panel discussion on important CWA reforms that should be part of any forthcoming Congressional permitting reform package. Panelists include Daren Bakst, director of CEI’s Center for Energy and Environment, Tony Francois, partner at Briscoe Prows Kao Ivester & Bazel, and Paige Gilliard, environment and natural resources attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation. The event was moderated by Matthew Adams, CEI’s Senior Manager for Government Affairs and Coalitions.

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