Cooperative Federalism in Action: Unprecedented Opportunities Arising From a Dramatically Shifting Federal-State Regulatory Landscape

摘要

Local governments face unprecedented uncertainty and opportunity in the federal environmental regulatory environment under the Trump EPA and Department of Justice. Opportunities for adaptive, integrated, and cost-effective locality environmental compliance programs abound. This presentation will explore this unchartered regulatory landscape, especially in light of the recent integrated planning amendment to the Clean Water Act. Specific examples will be highlighted of this new dynamic in terms of permitting, inspections, enforcement, and long-term environmental programs. The federal-State environmental regulatory landscape is experiencing unprecedented change. EPA is providing far greater deference to States and localities than ever before. This, coupled with the new integrated planning law, is creating unprecedented opportunities to work with States on critical permitting, enforcement, and environmental program implementation. There is unprecedented flexibility to create permit solutions as well as appropriate and affordable enforcement outcomes. Practical examples for your utility will be highlighted.