On Thursday, March 14th, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency will undertake 31 actions in what an agency press release described as “the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history.”
“Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen. We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more,” EPA Administrator Zeldin was quoted in the release.
Most of the changes announced that could affect New York State are those relating to the energy, gas and oil industries and air and water quality, redirecting enforcement resources, including the following:
With regards to energy industries – weakening coal ash regulations, steam electric power rules, fracking wastewater regulations, and risk management at oil and natural gas refineries and chemical facilities;
With regards to clear air – weakening rules for motor vehicle classifications ending the Good Neighbor Plan; weakening Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the Clean Air Act, Air Quality Standards and the Regional Haze Program (aimed at improving air quality in 156 national parks and wilderness areas); and
Making changes to Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program; changing the Social Cost of Carbon, Methane and Nitrous Oxide measurement; reconstituting the Science Advisory Board and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee; and terminating the Environmental Justice and diversity and inclusion arms of the agency.
You can read the full press release here.
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