Chemical Industry Seeks Pollution Limit Exemption Amidst Safety Concerns

Two major chemical associations request a waiver from recently imposed limits on hazardous air pollutants, claiming compliance would involve exorbitant costs, despite the dangers posed by toxic substances like ethylene oxide.

In a move that has raised environmental eyebrows, two significant chemical industry groups are lobbying President Trump for an exemption from stringent new pollution limits established during the Biden administration. These regulations, designed to cut down emissions of harmful pollutants such as ethylene oxide—an ingredient known for its carcinogenic properties and prevalent in antifreeze and plastics—will soon take effect.

The American Chemistry Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, both representing leading chemical firms, argue that the new rules would impose unmanageable financial burdens on their operations. In a letter dated March 31 and later shared with the Environmental Defense Fund, they claimed that adhering to the regulations would cost companies upwards of $50 billion—substantially more than the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) estimate of $1.8 billion.

Their plea for a temporary waiver comes in the wake of the EPA’s announcement last month allowing companies to apply for exemptions for major clean-air regulations. This provision of the Clean Air Act enables the president to temporarily lift rules if the necessary technology is unavailable or if such action serves national security interests.

Opposition to this request has emerged amongst environmental advocates who stress the importance of these limits in protecting public health and the environment from the threats posed by toxic air pollutants. As the EPA prepares to review these exemption requests, the outcome may significantly impact both the industry and the communities living nearby, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach between industrial growth and environmental safety.