"The Trump administration is considering executive actions to boost the proliferation of pipelines across the United States and limit state interference on water permitting, according to multiple industry sources familiar with the discussions.
The expected actions have been delayed by the partial government shutdown now surpassing a month, sources said, and would potentially touch on everything from boosting pipeline approvals out of areas like the Permian Basin to potential action on liquefied natural gas exports.
Another focus: reforming states' ability to block permits under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Details for now remain sparse, and sources cautioned that the actions are far from settled. Leading the effort is Francis Brooke, a senior energy adviser to President Trump who left Vice President Mike Pence's office to replace former White House energy aide Mike Catanzaro. The White House said it would not be providing comment on the expected orders."
Niina Heikkinen, Hannah Northey, and Ariel Wittenberg report for Greenwire January 24, 2019.
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