Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) News

• EPA Greenlights Forever Chemical Pesticide, Deregulates Climate Rules Amid Federal Shutdown

  The top headline from the Environmental Protection Agency this week: The EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, has authorized the use of the pesticide cyclobutrifluram, its first so-called “forever chemical” or PFAS pesticide, for use on golf courses, cotton, soybeans, and lettuce. This controversial decision landed just days after President Trump’s administration pushed its fifth such PFAS-related proposal, highlighting a sharp shift in U.S. chemical regulation. According to Nathan Donley at the Center for Biological Diversity, “Trump’s chemical industry cronies at the EPA are unleashing a new forever chemical to protect golf courses and poison our country while flagrantly breaking the president’s promise to make America healthy again.”This move isn’t happening in a vacuum. Even as much of the federal government faces a historic shutdown—leading to food stamp delays, unpaid federal workers, and sweeping disruptions—the EPA’s pesticide office has remained in full swing. Agency officials argue they’re prioritizing continuity for “critical regulatory activities.” But public health groups are alarmed, especially since PFAS chemicals are known for their environmental persistence and links to cancer, hormone disruption, and immune harm.Meanwhile, an even bigger change is roiling the EPA landscape: Administrator Zeldin has announced what’s being called the “biggest deregulatory action in US history.” In recent weeks, the agency has advanced proposals to undo key Obama- and Biden-era climate rules, including plans to repeal the landmark Endangerment Finding, which underpinned climate action by recognizing greenhouse gases as dangerous to human health. This would cascade into scrapping car and truck emission standards and scaling back regulations on fossil fuel power plants. The American Action Forum notes these changes have sparked rare bipartisan concern, with lawmakers from both parties warning that rolling back greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting and regulation could undermine both environmental progress and transparency for businesses.Industry groups and some state regulators back the EPA’s deregulatory agenda, saying looser standards lower energy and manufacturing costs and support grid reliability. For example, the agency’s relaxing of power plant emission rules is framed by advocates as a way to “support domestic energy production.” But environmental organizations and public health experts counter that repealing these protections could lead to increases in air and water pollution. The EPA’s own data show the power sector and transportation are responsible for over half of America’s GHG emissions, underscoring the stakes for climate and health.States and cities are scrambling to adapt; some are pursuing their own stricter standards, but many lack resources or authority. Internationally, moves like repealing the Endangerment Finding risk undermining global climate efforts and U.S. credibility at upcoming climate summits.If you’re concerned about these changes, the EPA is inviting public comment on several proposals, including the repeal of greenhouse gas standards for vehicles and the latest science on PFAS chemicals in pesticides. Submit your feedback through the EPA’s official regulations portal—your voice can shape these major decisions. Upcoming deadlines include a 30-day window for comments on vehicle emission rules, closing in early December.For the latest updates or to get involved, visit the EPA’s news center or your state environmental agency. Stay tuned: the agency is expected to unveil further deregulation plans affecting water protections and hazardous chemical disclosures in the weeks ahead. Thanks for joining us. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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• The EPA's Climate Deregulation: Unleashing American Energy or Reversing Environmental Progress?

  Thanks for tuning in. The biggest headline from the Environmental Protection Agency this week is the agency’s dramatic move to roll back cornerstone climate protections, kicking off what Administrator Lee Zeldin is calling the most consequential wave of deregulation in U.S. history. Just days ago, Zeldin announced that the EPA is launching 31 deregulatory actions in a single sweep—changes that could reshape everything from air quality standards to vehicle emission rules.At the center of the news: The EPA’s formal proposal to repeal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for fossil fuel power plants and a companion rule aiming to overturn the landmark 2009 Endangerment Finding, which for over a decade has given EPA the authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. If finalized, this would not only eliminate strict emissions requirements for new and existing power plants but also slash all greenhouse gas limits on light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles. According to an August announcement in the Federal Register, this could effectively end mandatory climate-driven regulation for nearly all major emission sources in the United States.These proposed changes stem from President Trump’s Executive Order “Unleashing American Energy,” which directs agencies to identify and remove rules that burden domestic energy producers. The administration’s position argues that current greenhouse gas regulations represent federal government overreach and stifle American innovation. Administrator Zeldin stated, “We’re focused on empowering businesses, protecting jobs, and unleashing the full potential of American energy while maintaining sensible environmental protections.”But this has set off a fierce national debate. Senators Whitehouse and Cramer have urged the EPA to withdraw its proposed cancellation of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, warning that halting emissions data collection will “blindfold Congress and the public” as to real climate risks. Environmental groups and scientific experts warn that weakening these protections could reverse progress on climate change and increase pollution, potentially increasing health risks, especially for vulnerable communities. According to Nature, some EPA scientists are openly worried that the reorganization of the agency—which now moves scientific staff out of dedicated research offices—could reduce scientific capacity and erode the evidentiary basis for future decision-making.For businesses, especially in the energy and automotive sectors, the deregulation offers a reprieve from compliance costs and reporting requirements. Many industry leaders are applauding the moves as necessary to keep American manufacturers competitive globally. State and local governments, on the other hand, are scrambling to understand the long-term implications for their own air quality programs, as federal standards continue to be the baseline for much state-level regulation. Internationally, these decisions may strain U.S. credibility in climate negotiations and influence other countries’ approaches to emissions standards.Looking ahead, all of these proposals are now open for public comment. Deadlines for major rules are in mid-December, and the EPA has indicated public hearings will be held virtually and in-person. If you have views on the agency’s plans—whether as a private citizen, business owner, or public official—now is the moment to make your voice heard.For more information or to weigh in on pending regulations, visit the EPA’s official website at epa.gov. Stay tuned for further updates as the legal battles and policy debates unfold, shaping the future of environmental protection in America.Thanks for joining us. Don’t forget to subscribe for ongoing EPA and climate news. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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• EPA Rolls Back Climate Rules, Fueling Debate Over Health, Economy, and Global Commitments

  Welcome back to the Quiet Please podcast, bringing you today’s biggest environmental news with real-world impact. The spotlight this week is on a sweeping move from the Environmental Protection Agency: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has unveiled a proposal to end the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, a regulatory overhaul touted as one of the largest deregulatory actions in agency history. The move, announced from Washington, is expected to save businesses up to 2.4 billion dollars in compliance costs. Administrator Zeldin argues that the current greenhouse gas reporting requirements “do nothing to improve air quality” and instead bog businesses down in unnecessary bureaucracy. This proposal would lift reporting obligations from over 8,000 facilities and suppliers nationwide, except for certain petroleum and natural gas systems that will remain subject to the methane waste emissions charge beginning in 2034.There’s another major shift in the pipeline. The EPA is advancing the repeal of pivotal greenhouse gas emission standards for fossil fuel power plants and vehicles. The agency has started reconsidering the 2009 Endangerment Finding—the legal foundation that established greenhouse gases as a public health threat. If rescinded, the legal basis for everything from fuel efficiency standards to power plant pollution limits could vanish overnight. Critics, like environmental groups and many state governments, warn that this will cripple the nation’s fight against climate change. They point out that transportation is responsible for 29 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions, and historic fuel efficiency standards have kept both emissions and consumer costs in check.Meanwhile, the EPA just allocated hydrofluorocarbon allowances for 2026, continuing the phase-down of these potent greenhouse gases under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. Even as other climate rules are reconsidered, this HFC phasedown sticks to the international timeline set by the Kigali Amendment, keeping the US mostly in step with global commitments.How do these changes ripple out? For American citizens, especially those in communities near industrial hubs or fossil fuel plants, public health protections could weaken, leaving air quality oversight to state officials or even industry self-reporting—a method recently criticized by reporting from ProPublica for missing major emissions violations. For businesses, costs will drop for compliance and reporting, but companies dedicated to clean energy may now face an uneven playing field. State and local governments may need to fill regulatory gaps, potentially driving up their own environmental monitoring expenses. Internationally, allies eyeing robust US leadership on climate could see these rollbacks as America stepping back from its global commitments.Industry advocates argue these steps will unleash economic growth and energy development. Environmental groups, public health experts, and many economists warn of long-term risks to health, climate, and innovation. Legal experts are bracing for courtroom battles; if the Endangerment Finding is rescinded, expect swift challenges arguing the EPA is abdicating its core mission.The public comment period for the greenhouse gas reporting rollback is opening soon. EPA will post details on its website and in the Federal Register, and this is a key chance for citizens, scientists, and businesses to weigh in. Listeners can learn more and submit feedback by visiting epa.gov, where detailed fact sheets and instruction guides are available. Upcoming public meetings on hydrofluorocarbon management and AIM Act implementation are also scheduled, so keep an eye on the EPA’s events page.As these monumental changes unfold, we’ll keep you updated on court decisions, state responses, and the ripple effects across the economy. For more information—and to let your voice be heard—visit the EPA’s online resources and consider submitting public comments if you’re concerned about these regulatory shifts.Thanks for tuning in to Quiet Please. Remember to subscribe for the latest EPA news you need to know. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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• EPA's Sweeping Deregulation: Implications for Climate, Industry, and Public Health

  The biggest news from the Environmental Protection Agency this week is its sweeping move to rescind the Obama-era Endangerment Finding, the foundational legal basis that allowed the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide as threats to public health. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called it “the most significant deregulatory action in agency history,” marking a decisive turn in U.S. climate policy—one with immediate and long-term effects for industries, states, and every American household.This proposed repeal, announced August 1 and now open for public comment, would eliminate greenhouse gas emission standards for nearly all vehicles and fossil fuel power plants. The Endangerment Finding, established in 2009, enabled tougher standards for cars and power plants and aimed to cut emissions in sectors that together account for over half of U.S. greenhouse emissions according to agency data. Supporters, such as the current Department of Energy leadership, suggest regulations based on outdated science should be re-examined, arguing this will ease compliance for manufacturing and energy and potentially lower prices for businesses and consumers. However, environmental groups and many public health experts warn that undoing the rule could severely weaken America’s ability to combat climate change and safeguard air quality.For Americans, this could affect air pollution levels and public health outcomes, especially in urban and industrial regions. The rollback may slow the transition to cleaner vehicles, with industry advocates noting fuel efficiency rules helped raise average fleet mileage from 23.4 to nearly 40 miles per gallon since 2010. Businesses in fossil fuel production and energy foresee fewer regulatory obstacles, though automakers worry about sinking investments in newer, cleaner technologies. State and local governments—especially those in California and the Northeast—are bracing for legal fights, potentially revisiting their own rules or pursuing independent emission standards.The EPA also released a new Residential Lead Directive, setting fresh national soil benchmarks and speeding up Superfund site cleanups. This means faster remediation for hazardous waste communities, with the EPA promising streamlined processes and stronger oversight.Looking ahead, Administrator Zeldin emphasized that, “We are opening the door for innovation and domestic energy ambitions, letting American industry lead once again.” The Department of Energy’s new report questioning the link between greenhouse gases and climate change is open for public comment until August 31, offering a rare chance for citizens, scientists, and businesses to weigh in on the heart of EPA’s authority.Listeners, you can engage directly by submitting feedback through the EPA’s online portal—your perspectives will help shape these major policy shifts. Public hearings are slated for late September and final decisions could arrive before the end of the year. For more, visit the EPA’s newsroom and check government platforms for updates.Thanks for tuning in—be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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• EPA Rolls Back Climate Rules, Cuts PFAS Oversight in Landmark Deregulation Push

  The biggest headline from the Environmental Protection Agency this week is the proposal to rescind the federal mandatory greenhouse gas reporting rule and a sweeping move to roll back Obama and Biden-era limits on emissions from fossil fuel power plants and vehicles. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described it as “the most significant day of deregulation in U.S. history,” as the agency takes steps affecting air quality, water protections, and climate change rules nationwide.Let’s break down the key developments. First, on climate: The EPA is moving to repeal the 2015 New Source Performance Standards and the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards for both new and existing fossil fuel power plants. The agency argues these standards placed undue economic and operational burdens on energy producers, and supporters claim repealing them will lower energy costs and improve grid reliability. Critics, however, warn that the changes risk increasing pollution and undermining long-term efforts to fight climate change since the power sector contributes about a quarter of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA also proposed rolling back the Endangerment Finding, which has been the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases since 2009. If finalized, this would end federal GHG standards for vehicles and call into question future emissions regulation. The move has triggered immediate legal challenges, with environmental groups warning it could unravel over a decade of climate policy and, as one environmental law expert said this week, “gut the federal government’s ability to address climate risks.”On chemicals, EPA is amending rules around PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals.” The agency is keeping drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, the two most studied chemicals, but is withdrawing standards on several related PFAS compounds and giving water systems more time to comply. Health groups worry this leaves some communities vulnerable, especially since EPA’s own scientists link exposure to PFAS to a range of serious health issues. However, the agency cites the need to focus compliance resources and cut red tape, especially for small water systems.Administrative changes are also in the spotlight. Furloughs are impacting about 40% of EPA employees in New England amid the ongoing government funding impasse, potentially delaying cleanups and enforcement actions. Nationally, the Trump administration’s deregulatory push is focused on revisiting over thirty existing environmental rules, from defining “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act to air toxins standards and hazardous waste disposal.Businesses, mainly in the energy and manufacturing sectors, are likely to see reduced costs and fewer barriers to project development. State and local governments, however, may need to decide whether to keep stricter rules at the state level or follow the new federal lead. For American citizens, the impact could mean changes in air and water quality standards in their communities, so paying attention to these rule changes is critical. Internationally, these shifts send a clear signal that U.S. environmental policy is pivoting away from some of its recent climate commitments, which may complicate collaboration with other countries on climate agreements.Looking ahead, EPA will finalize many of these proposals over the coming months, and public comment periods are open for several rules—meaning listeners can voice their opinions at regulations.gov. Key deadlines to watch include the April 2026 target for drinking water compliance and a likely rush of court challenges over vehicle emissions and air pollution rules.For more details on these developments and how to get engaged, visit epa.gov or check out your state’s environmental agency website. Thanks for tuning in, stay informed, and don’t forget to subscribe for more environmental news that truly matters. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.For more http://www.quietplease.aiGet the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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