The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a significant shift in regulatory approaches. They unveiled 31 actions that could change how thousands of industrial facilities, including waste and recycling centers, operate across the country. These changes are framed as a way to cut down on regulations that, according to the EPA, impose heavy costs on industries.
In their announcement, the EPA stated these new policies aim to "roll back trillions in regulatory costs." EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claimed that this is the most substantial deregulation effort in U.S. history. He emphasized that the aim is to empower states and ease the burden on American families by lowering living costs and promoting domestic job growth in industries like automotive manufacturing.
These changes echo efforts from previous administrations, specifically referencing a directive from President Donald Trump known as the "Unleashing American Energy" executive order. However, many environmentalists see this as a threat to years of progress in combating climate change. Legal battles are likely to arise as various groups challenge the rollback of rules that have been in place for over a decade.
One significant change involves the EPA’s "endangerment finding," established in 2009 under President Barack Obama. This finding determined that greenhouse gas emissions could harm public health and needed regulation. This decision has played a vital role in shaping the agency’s climate policies since then.
Another key aspect of the new proposal is a reconsideration of the "social cost of carbon" assessment. This valuation has been used to evaluate the economic impact of carbon emissions on society. Under Obama, the cost was set at $42 per ton, which was later reduced by Trump’s administration to below $5. The Biden administration increased it to $190 per ton, reflecting a more aggressive approach to carbon regulation.
The EPA plans to re-evaluate its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which includes about 8,000 facilities that emit significant pollutants. Changes in reporting requirements could further reduce transparency about emissions levels across various industries.
The agency is also targeting a range of pollution limits and plans to review standards for vehicle emissions and hazardous air pollutants. This includes revisiting rules regarding coal ash and extending deadlines for compliance, which may lead to increased pollution.
Concerns about environmental justice are rising as the EPA has also announced the shutdown of its diversity and inclusion divisions. Previously, the agency focused on ensuring that enforcement actions did not disproportionately impact communities of color or low-income neighborhoods.
The Biden administration had emphasized addressing climate challenges and protecting communities from toxic exposures through its enforcement priorities. However, the EPA under Zeldin seeks to shift these priorities, suggesting that enforcement might not consider socio-economic factors as much as it previously did.
Additionally, the agency will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider the "waters of the United States" rule, which protects wetlands and smaller waterways. The Supreme Court’s ruling earlier in 2023 has already impacted this rule, indicating a move towards reduced restrictions for certain facilities near wetlands.
Recent data shows that public concern about climate change remains high, with over 70% of Americans favoring stronger regulations to address environmental challenges. As this deregulatory trend unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how it affects not only the environment but also public health and safety.
For more details, you can check out the EPA’s official announcement here and learn about the implications of the "social cost of carbon" in this New York Times article.
Check out this related article: Trump Administration Re-evaluates Impact of Greenhouse Gases as Climate Policies Shift
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