Welcome to your weekly EPA update, listeners. I'm your host, diving into the agency's biggest move this week: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin just announced 31 massive deregulatory actions, calling it the greatest day of deregulation in U.S. history, according to EPA's official news release.
Under Zeldin's lead in Trump's second term, the EPA is rolling back Obama and Biden-era rules left and right. Key moves include proposing to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding on greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane, which could wipe out vehicle emission standards entirely, as detailed in The Regulatory Review. They're also reconsidering power plant emission limits, easing oil and gas rules with extended compliance deadlines, narrowing Waters of the United States protections, and revising wastewater standards for power plants to boost energy reliability—NZero reports these target about 25% of U.S. GHG emissions from power.
On the enforcement front, EPA teamed up with Customs and Border Protection at the Port of Los Angeles to crack down on toxic imports like illegal pesticides from China. "At the Trump EPA, we’re committed to securing clean air, land, and water for all Americans," says EPA Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall.
For Americans, this means potentially lower energy bills and more reliable power, but critics from groups like the Environmental Defense Fund warn of dirtier air and higher cancer risks from things like relaxed formaldehyde rules. Businesses in energy, manufacturing, and autos stand to save billions in compliance costs, per industry analyses, while states face fewer federal mandates but possible legal battles over wetlands and streams. Globally, it signals a U.S. pivot from climate leadership, straining ties with emission-focused partners.
Data point: CAFE standards jumped from 23 mpg in 2010 to 40 mpg now, pushing EVs—but rollbacks could ease that to realistic levels, SEMA notes. Public comment periods are open now through early 2026; check epa.gov for deadlines.
Watch for court challenges and final rules next year. Head to epa.gov/newsreleases for details, and submit comments if you're fired up.
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