President Trump issues two pro-pipeline executive orders

Just weeks after announcing a presidential memo meant to ram the disastrous Keystone XL past court orders blocking the construction of the tar sands pipeline, Trump has issued two executive orders aimed at fast-tracking pipeline permits. The first directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to make it harder for states to protect their own water supplies from intrastate pipelines. Speaking to a fossil fuel–friendly crowd in Texas, Trump made clear the first order was in direct response to New York’s recent decision to block several natural gas pipelines because they threatened the state’s waterways. In fact, under the the Clean Water Act, states have the authority to conduct detailed analyses of proposed projects to protect their water supplies. Trump’s second order aims to make it easier for federal government to approve international pipelines, such as KXL—to the detriment of thorough reviews that help protect our country’s environment and people.