Chemical Industry Seeks Pollution Rule Exemption from Trump Administration

Chemical industry representatives are pushing for an exemption from recently enacted pollution limits instituted during the Biden administration, claiming compliance costs are exorbitant.

Two prominent chemical industry organizations, the American Chemistry Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, have formally requested that President Trump grant an exemption from new hazardous air pollution regulations slated to take effect. These rules, established under the Biden administration, were designed to mitigate emissions of harmful pollutants, including ethylene oxide, a substance associated with cancer and widely utilized in antifreeze and plastic manufacturing.

In a letter dated March 31 obtained by the Environmental Defense Fund, the organizations are arguing that the new requirements impose unprecedented financial strain on their member corporations. The letter highlights that expected costs of adhering to the new regulations could surpass $50 billion, vastly exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (E.P.A.) estimate of $1.8 billion.

The request for a waiver came shortly after the E.P.A. announced that companies could seek waivers regarding major clean-air regulations. According to provisions in the Clean Air Act, the president has the authority to grant temporary exemptions to industrial facilities from new rules if compliance technology isn't readily available and if doing so serves the interests of national security.

In their communication to Lee Zeldin, the E.P.A. administrator, the industry groups emphasized that the timelines for compliance under the new regulations are impractical, creating an environment of distress for industry stakeholders. The move indicates a significant intersection of environmental policy and industrial interests, as the chemical industry grapples with evolving standards aimed at reducing pollution.