The Big Story 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a rule Tuesday that could strip protections from the majority of U.S. wetlands, saying the Supreme Court forced its hand.

© AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

EPA Administrator Michael Regan called the amended Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule necessary to comply with the court’s May Sackett vs. Environmental Protection Agency decision, which held that wetlands must have a “continuous surface connection” to protected waterways for federal protections to apply.

“We’ve moved quickly to finalize amendments to the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ to provide a clear path forward that adheres to the Supreme Court’s ruling. EPA will never waver from our responsibility to ensure clean water for all,” Regan said in a statement. “Moving forward, we will do everything we can with our existing authorities and resources to help communities, states, and Tribes protect the clean water upon which we all depend.”

The Biden administration had issued a new proposed rule last December, months before the court’s ruling, establishing firmer protections rolled back under the Trump administration.

The ruling was the court’s second in as many terms curtailing federal environmental protections after its 2022 West Virginia vs. EPA decision. 

Read more in a full report at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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