The proposed rule would scale back federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.

By Nikki Buffa, John C. Heintz, Michael G. Romey, Jennifer K. Roy, Lucas I. Quass, and Samantha Yeager

On November 17, 2025, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers (USACE) (together with EPA, the Agencies) announced a proposed rule that would revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the

President Trump’s orders, which include withdrawing from international climate agreements and declaring an energy emergency, emphasize domestic production and regulatory reform.

By Nikki Buffa, Devin O’Connor, Janice Schneider, Stacey VanBelleghem, and Brian McCall

On the first day of his second term in office, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders and memoranda that signal a significant shift in US energy and environmental policy. These actions aim to reshape the regulatory landscape, prioritize domestic conventional