House Bill Could Make It Harder To Force States To Clean Up The Chesapeake Bay

A bill passed by the U.S. House could reduce the federal government’s ability to make states follow through on promises to reduce pollution flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.

What’s Happening: The House approved the PERMIT Act on Dec. 11. The bill tells the Environmental Protection Agency to be more cooperative and collaborative with states that are supposed to cut pollution entering the Bay.

What’s Important: The Chesapeake Bay cleanup depends on the EPA stepping in when states fail to meet pollution limits. Critics say this bill could make it easier for states to miss targets without facing consequences.

How This Affects Regular People: If pollution limits are not enforced, dirty runoff from farms, streets, and wastewater plants can continue flowing into the Bay. That can hurt fishing, crabbing, tourism, and drinking water across the region.

The Cleanup Rules, Plain And Simple: Since 2010, states around the Bay have been required to limit how much pollution they send into the water. These limits are often called the pollution diet. Each state must meet specific goals. If they do not, the EPA can step in and tighten rules, especially on large polluters like wastewater treatment plants.

Why Lawmakers Are Worried: The bill includes language saying the EPA should work cooperatively with states instead of pushing enforcement. While that language is not legally binding, it often guides how agencies behave. Maryland lawmakers say it sends a message that enforcement should be weaker.

Why Enforcement Matters: The EPA has clear power over big pollution sources like sewage plants. It has far less power over farm runoff and stormwater. When states fail to control those sources, the EPA’s enforcement tools are often the only leverage to keep cleanup efforts on track.

Recent History: In 2020, several states and environmental groups sued the EPA, saying it was not doing enough to pressure Pennsylvania to reduce pollution. The cases were settled in 2023, with the EPA agreeing to increase inspections and public reporting.

Supporters Of The Bill Say: Backers argue the PERMIT Act speeds up permits and reduces delays for infrastructure and energy projects.

Opponents Say: Environmental groups say the bill weakens the Clean Water Act, reduces water protections, and could slow or reverse progress cleaning up the Bay.

What’s Next: The bill now goes to the Senate, where it would need at least 60 votes to become law.