Highlights of EPA's "Historic" Day of Deregulation

US EPA recently announced a “historic day of deregulation” and shared plans to take action on more than thirty environmental programs or requirements affecting industry stakeholders. Most of these de-regulation efforts are aimed at Clean Air Act programs and requirements, including reconsideration of: 

• The Mercury Air Toxics Standard (MATS) rule for coal-fired power plants and other air emissions rules for electricity generators
• The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) 
• The Agency’s 2009 finding that GHGs endanger human health and the environment 
• Updated Risk Management Plan (RMP) requirements
• “Multiple” NESHAPs for the energy and manufacturing sectors   
• NAAQS for small particulate matter (PM 2.5) 

EPA is also terminating the “Environmental Justice and DEI arms of the agency.” The action plan was shared recently in a press release accompanied by a video from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. 

Takeaways for Businesses Subject to EPA Regulations 

Seeing enforcement resources moved away from clean air and greenhouse gas programs, climate change programs, and environmental justice programs suggests that EPA will focus inspections and citations on longstanding programs the agency has consistently enforced over time. That includes hazardous waste management and storage (RCRA), oil spill prevention and planning (SPCC Plans), chemical inventory reporting (EPCRA), emergency preparedness (CERCLA), and more.

Revising or eliminating environmental regulations may benefit some industry sectors by reducing their compliance burdens, allowing them more flexibility and agility, and/or lowering costs. In the short term, changes to the regulations also require companies to expend resources to learn and understand the new (or revised) rule, to re-train employees and re-allocate resources to achieve or stay in compliance, and update workplace plans as necessary.

Stay tuned! Lion News will continue to provide updates as EPA works to reconsider, revise, or rescind regulations under major air, water, chemical, or hazardous waste programs.

Live! 2025 Environmental Regulations Training Webinar 

Gain solid footing amid non-stop updates and revisions on EPA air, water, and chemical programs! Join an experienced, credentialed instructor for the next live Complete Environmental Regulations Webinar on May 15–16, 2025.

EH&S professionals who attend can identify the regulations that apply to their facility and locate key requirements to achieve compliance with the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to EPCRA, TSCA, Superfund, and more. Prefer to train at your own pace? Try the interactive online course.
 

Tags: Clean Air Act, environmental compliance, EPA