EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Wednesday a series of nearly three dozen deregulatory actions, asserting they will stimulate the U.S. economy by alleviating what he described as unfair burdens on industry. Many of these actions target significant regulations aimed at safeguarding clean air and water resources.
Here’s a summary of some of the 31 regulatory adjustments announced by Zeldin:
The previous administration had set limits on emissions from existing gas and coal-fired power plants, a key initiative to curb greenhouse gases from the energy sector. Zeldin indicated the EPA would reconsider these standards to prevent constraints on energy production, contrasting with the prior administration's support for oil and gas development.
Addressing toxic metal emissions from coal plants, the prior administration had imposed strict limits on pollutants like mercury. The EPA now states that multiple states have filed lawsuits, citing high costs and undue burdens, especially for coal plants. A two-year compliance extension is under consideration while the rule is reevaluated.
Hazardous metals such as mercury and arsenic, found in power plant wastewater, can lead to severe health issues. The EPA plans to reassess what they term 'stringent' regulations, citing potential cost increases for consumers.
Treated wastewater from oil and gas drilling, currently used in limited ways in the West, may be reconsidered for expanded applications like cooling data centers and firefighting. The EPA believes current rules are outdated and don't fully utilize modern treatment technologies.
The previous administration strengthened accident prevention measures for industrial and chemical plants. The EPA is now revisiting this rule, citing concerns raised by industry associations over reporting requirements and warnings from national security experts about potential vulnerabilities.
The EPA is reevaluating its greenhouse gas reporting program, which mandates emissions reporting from major industrial polluters. Zeldin claims the program is costly and ineffective in improving air quality, while the EPA previously stated that this data helped businesses identify reduction opportunities.
Zeldin pledged to review emissions standards for vehicles, viewing the existing rules as foundational for electric vehicle mandates. While the previous administration didn't require EV sales, the standards impacted emissions. Loosening them could increase greenhouse gas emissions, despite ongoing automaker investments in efficiency.
A 2009 finding under the Clean Air Act, which determined that greenhouse gases endanger public health, is under review. Experts warn that reversing this finding would have serious consequences, given the evident impacts of climate change.
A program aimed at reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases used in cooling systems, is also being reconsidered. These chemicals are significantly more powerful than carbon dioxide.
A rule designed to limit air pollution from power plant smokestacks across multiple states faces potential elimination, which could disproportionately affect downwind communities burdened by smog. The Supreme Court had already paused the rule due to legal challenges.
Appointments to a board that advises the EPA on scientific matters are also under review, given the board's influence on environmental policy.
The EPA is reconsidering stricter standards regulating particulate matter, or soot, released by power plants and industrial facilities. The agency had previously estimated that the stronger regulations would save lives and reduce health issues.
EPA standards related to pollutants known to cause serious health problems are being reassessed. These standards require industrial facilities to monitor and control chemical releases.
A decades-old program aimed at reducing pollution that impacts scenic views in national parks is under scrutiny. Zeldin suggests the program is being used to justify the closure of industrial facilities, threatening affordable energy.
The social cost of carbon, a tool used to assess the economic impacts of carbon dioxide emissions, is also being reviewed. The calculation, used in cost-benefit analyses, had been set at $190 per ton but was lower under the previous administration.
Finally, the EPA is considering transferring more regulation of coal ash pits to state control, raising concerns among environmental groups. A policy closing a loophole that allowed companies to avoid cleaning up inactive pits may be repealed.