The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Biden took action to unwind a rule that curbs the power of states, territories and Native American tribes to block natural gas pipelines and other energy projects that could pollute waterways.

President Biden

For 50 years, states and tribes had authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to protect rivers and other water resources. This empowered states and tribes to review the effects of oil and natural gas pipelines as well as all other federally regulated projects that might diminish water quality within their borders, said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. 

“Protected water resources” are “essential to thriving communities, vibrant ecosystems and sustainable economic growth,” Regan said.

Through a 2020 regulation,...