Supreme Court reinstates Trump-era water rule

Reporting for the Associated Press, Jessica Gresko writes that the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated a Trump-era Clean Water Act rule today. The rule “curtails the power of states and Native American tribes to block pipelines and other energy projects that can pollute rivers, streams and other waterways.”

In a 5-4 decision, the Court overturned a lower court’s decision to throw out the rule. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the Court’s three more liberal justices in dissenting. Three of the justices voting to overturn the lower court’s decision are Trump appointees, and the majority justices did not explain their decision.

The decision has no effect on the Biden administration’s plans to rewrite the rule.

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