Trump's Deregulation Push: How It Could Reshape The Water Industry
Under another executive order from President Donald Trump, federal agencies now have the authority to review existing regulations and recommend changes or eliminations based on federal rules that are seen as overly burdensome.
The directive, titled “Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Deregulatory Initiative,” gives federal agencies the authority to identify rules that exceed federal authority, impose excessive costs, or hinder economic and infrastructure development. According to a fact sheet released by the White House, the order will “unleash a new Golden Age of America.”
The executive order requires agencies to submit a review within 60 days identifying past regulations that may be deemed unconstitutional. For the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the directive is a welcome move. “You have the opportunity to tackle this challenge by addressing burdensome regulations that are stifling investment, making us less competitive in the world, limiting innovation and threatening the very jobs we are all working to create right here in America,” NAM wrote in a letter to President Trump.
It's not yet clear how this latest executive order could affect the water industry, but it could be possible that deregulation could compromise drinking water safety and environmental standards. When it comes to the Clean Water Act, it’s possible that permitting requirements for wastewater discharge and stormwater management could be reconsidered. This could relax standards for businesses and municipalities and potentially have an impact on water quality.
As federal agencies conduct their reviews, stakeholders across the water sector will be watching closely to see which regulations come under scrutiny.