The U.S. EPA launched a massive deregulation effort on Wednesday, announcing 31 actions regulators are taking against the "climate change religion."
The actions span a variety of industries and aim to cut regulatory costs and create jobs, according to an EPA press release. Several of the deregulations could impact manufacturers, including the reconsideration of rules pertaining to air quality emissions standards.
The actions are in line with President Donald Trump’s move to lessen the scope of the federal government's regulatory reach. The news comes weeks after administration officials said Trump intends to cut EPA spending by 65%, according to a Politico report.
Manufacturing-related deregulations from the Wednesday announcement include reconsiderations of:
- Light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicle regulations that underpin what the Trump administration often refers to as the "electric vehicle mandate."
- The Risk Management Program Rule, regarding emergency safety standards at facilities that use regulated toxic or flammable substances.
- The Technology Transition Rule, which sets limits on the use of hydrofluorocarbons.
- Particulate matter national ambient air quality standards, which was revised in February 2024 to include a "primary (health-based) annual PM2.5 standard at 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter," according to the EPA.
- Multiple national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, which pertain to substances "that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects," according to the EPA.
The agency also intends to end the "Good Neighbor Plan" that aims to ensure 23 states reduce air pollution from power plants and other industrial facilities.
