Bloomberg by Greg Stohr 11/6/2019
• Hawaii dispute could affect mines, coal-fired power plants
• Pollution case evokes talk of Agatha Christie, spiked punch
U.S. Supreme Court justices seemed conflicted over the reach of the Clean Water Act as they heard arguments Wednesday in a clash over treated wastewater that environmentalists say is damaging a coral reef off Hawaii.
Amid references to Agatha Christie murder mysteries and a party guest who spikes the punch bowl, the justices tried to avoid either giving large polluters an easy way to skirt regulation or subjecting individual homeowners to burdensome requirements.
Environmentalists contend a Maui water treatment facility needs a permit to keep discharging wastewater that eventually travels to the Pacific Ocean. Maui County and President Donald Trump’s administration say the Clean Water Act doesn’t cover the discharges because they pass underground before reaching the ocean.
More:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-06/supreme-court-justices-grapple-with-scope-of-clean-water-act
