US Environmental Agency Abandons Tough Soot Pollution Standards, Citing Lack of Authority Under Biden Administration
In a move that has sparked widespread concern over public health, the Trump administration is seeking to scrap a rule that sets stringent standards for deadly soot pollution. The decision follows a series of recent actions by the administration aimed at weakening environmental regulations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule last year that imposed strict limits on fine particle matter from motor vehicles and industrial sources, citing that reducing this type of pollution could prevent thousands of premature deaths annually. However, the Trump administration now claims that it lacked the authority to set these standards under the Biden administration, which took office in January 2021.
A court filing by the EPA states that the agency's rule was enacted "without the rigorous, stepwise process that Congress required," and therefore is unlawful. This decision effectively revokes the stricter soot pollution standard established during the Obama administration, which set a limit of nine micrograms per cubic meter of air.
Environmental groups have condemned the move, arguing that it threatens public health and undermines the EPA's obligations under the Clean Air Act. "EPA's motion is a blatant attempt to avoid legal requirements for a rollback," said Hayden Hashimoto, an attorney at the non-profit Clean Air Task Force. "An abundance of scientific evidence shows that going back to the previous standard would fail to provide the level of protection for public health required under the Clean Air Act."
The Biden rule aimed to reduce soot pollution by implementing a stricter air quality standard, which states and counties must achieve in the coming years. Proponents of the rule argue that it would avoid millions of premature deaths annually and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs.
Critics, however, point out that rolling back the stricter standard would have devastating consequences for public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. "Walking away from these clean-air standards doesn't power anything but disease," said Patrice Simms, vice-president of healthy communities at Earthjustice.
As the EPA prepares to propose its own rule on soot pollution next year, environmental advocates warn that the Trump administration's actions are a clear indication of its priorities: saving corporations money over people's health and lives. "Donald Trump has made it clear that his agenda is all about saving corporations money," Simms said.
In a move that has sparked widespread concern over public health, the Trump administration is seeking to scrap a rule that sets stringent standards for deadly soot pollution. The decision follows a series of recent actions by the administration aimed at weakening environmental regulations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule last year that imposed strict limits on fine particle matter from motor vehicles and industrial sources, citing that reducing this type of pollution could prevent thousands of premature deaths annually. However, the Trump administration now claims that it lacked the authority to set these standards under the Biden administration, which took office in January 2021.
A court filing by the EPA states that the agency's rule was enacted "without the rigorous, stepwise process that Congress required," and therefore is unlawful. This decision effectively revokes the stricter soot pollution standard established during the Obama administration, which set a limit of nine micrograms per cubic meter of air.
Environmental groups have condemned the move, arguing that it threatens public health and undermines the EPA's obligations under the Clean Air Act. "EPA's motion is a blatant attempt to avoid legal requirements for a rollback," said Hayden Hashimoto, an attorney at the non-profit Clean Air Task Force. "An abundance of scientific evidence shows that going back to the previous standard would fail to provide the level of protection for public health required under the Clean Air Act."
The Biden rule aimed to reduce soot pollution by implementing a stricter air quality standard, which states and counties must achieve in the coming years. Proponents of the rule argue that it would avoid millions of premature deaths annually and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs.
Critics, however, point out that rolling back the stricter standard would have devastating consequences for public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. "Walking away from these clean-air standards doesn't power anything but disease," said Patrice Simms, vice-president of healthy communities at Earthjustice.
As the EPA prepares to propose its own rule on soot pollution next year, environmental advocates warn that the Trump administration's actions are a clear indication of its priorities: saving corporations money over people's health and lives. "Donald Trump has made it clear that his agenda is all about saving corporations money," Simms said.
they r literally killin us slow 4 real , this soot pollution rule was set 2 prevent THOUSANDS of premature deaths every year & now its GONE 
Trump admin is all about savin corporations money over ppl's health n lives 
. like wut even is the point of havin a gov if they cant protect us from toxic air ? 
this is straight up heartless n I'm so mad I could cry 
can't believe the EPA just gave up on doin somethin 2 help ppl b better 
this decision from the US Environmental Agency is super worrying 
, especially for public health. If they're saying that the stricter standards are unlawful just because of the Biden admin, that's a huge red flag 
. The science on soot pollution being deadly and preventing thousands of premature deaths each year is clear, yet they're trying to scrap it? 
What's next, roll back all environmental protections? 
can we just get back to nature or something? 
. Environmental groups are totally right to be upset - this decision undermines the EPA's obligations under the Clean Air Act and puts vulnerable populations at risk. We need stricter regulations, not weaker ones! 
I mean, come on, soot pollution is basically killing us slowly and the EPA is just like 'oh, we can't do anything about it'? 
The fact that environmental groups are fighting back and advocating for the public's health is awesome 
We need more people speaking out against this kind of nonsense and demanding better from our leaders