Home / Environment / Trump-Era Loophole Lets Polluters Skirt Environmental Rules
Trump-Era Loophole Lets Polluters Skirt Environmental Rules
30 Jul
Summary
- Trump admin. created email exemption process for environmental rules
- 100+ exemptions granted to coal plants, steel mills, chemical facilities
- Exemptions allow continued emissions of mercury, ethylene oxide, other toxins
- Utilities, chemical companies successfully sought exemptions
In a controversial move, the Trump administration established a process in March that allowed companies to request email exemptions from environmental regulations. This led to over 100 exemptions being granted to facilities across the country, including coal-burning power plants, steel mills, and chemical plants.
The exemptions enabled these companies to avoid complying with rules aimed at curbing hazardous air pollutants such as mercury, a neurotoxin, and ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic gas. Documents show that 15 coal plants, 4 steel mills, and 4 chemical facilities successfully obtained these exemptions, which will delay their compliance with stricter emissions standards.
Utilities like the Tennessee Valley Authority and Alabama Power were among those that secured exemptions, allowing them to continue operating coal plants that are major emitters of greenhouse gases. Chemical manufacturer Eastman also received an exemption for its facility that has been linked to elevated cancer rates in the surrounding community.
While the Biden administration has taken some steps to address these issues, the Trump-era loophole remains in place, enabling polluters to skirt environmental regulations designed to protect public health and the environment. Advocates argue that communities have a right to know when companies are actively trying to avoid compliance with rules meant to safeguard their wellbeing.
