Aiming to streamline oil and gas pipeline projects, President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed two executive orders making it harder for states to block construction because of environmental concerns.

The orders were prompted by fossil fuel industry pressure after officials in New York and Washington state had stopped new projects with permitting processes in recent years.

“Too often, badly needed energy infrastructure is being held back by special interest groups, entrenched bureaucracies and radical activists,” Trump said before signing the orders in Texas at the International Union of Operating Engineers International Training and Education Center.

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In 2017, Washington blocked construction for a coal terminal, citing air pollution, rail safety and vehicle traffic concerns. Regulators in New York likewise blocked a natural gas pipeline because of standards to protect streams and wet lands, despite the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approving the project in 2014.

Trump called out New York, saying “obstruction” by the state “was hurting the country.” Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo described the orders as a gross overreach threatening environmental protections.

“States must have a role in the process for siting energy infrastructure like pipelines, and any efforts to curb this right to protect our residents will be fought tooth and nail,” Cuomo said.

One order requests the Environmental Protection Agency meet with states and tribes before creating new rules for complying with the Clean Water Act. It also calls for proposing a rule allowing liquefied natural gas to be shipped in approved rail tank cars.

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The second order seeks to accelerate energy projects that cross international borders. The secretary of state currently has the power to issue permits for cross-border projects such as pipelines, but the order states the president will make decisions to approve permits.

Trade groups representing the oil and gas industry supported the moves, saying access to natural gas helps families.

“When states say ‘no’ to the development of natural gas pipelines, they force utilities to curb safe and affordable service and refuse access to new customers, including new businesses,” said Karen Harbert, president and CEO at the American Gas Association.

Environmental groups rebuked Trump's orders, which follow his decision last month to issue a new presidential permit for the stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline.

“Trump’s developing an addiction to executive orders that rubber-stamp these climate-killing projects,” said Brett Hartl, the Center for Biological Diversity's government affairs director.

Contributing: The Associated Press