A long-planned effort to provide greater clarity under the landmark 1972 Clean Water Act is now under review in Congress, although its prospects for passage are currently uncertain.
The legislation, Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today, otherwise known as the Permit Act, was introduced by Georgia Republican Representative Mike Collins, who has said it will “overhaul permitting processes and reduce burdens on permit seekers.”
“As we enter a new era with a renewed focus on domestic production and growth,” added Collins, “this legislation delivers the tools that our country needs to build faster, smarter, and safer.”
The measure, which in late June won the approval of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, will exclude waste treatment centers, treatment ponds and lagoons from the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act.
In a statement, the Associated Builders and Contractors said Collins’ legislation is an “essential step toward eliminating redundant delays and excessive permitting uncertainty that often leads to cost overruns and project setbacks.”
The Clean Water Act, signed into law by President Nixon, governs water pollution and surface water quality and is regarded by historians as the first major environmental law in the country. The legislation’s regulations are for the most part administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Collins has made certain to point out that his legislation is not designed to do away with the Clean Water Act, but rather to make “targeted reforms to the law informed by on-the-ground feedback.”
July 18, 2025
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
