As it begins carrying out President Trump’s executive order on regulatory reform, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking input on regulations that should be repealed, replaced, or modified. Comments must be received on or before May 15, 2017. Specifically, EPA is requesting comments on rules that businesses believe disproportionately impose costs, hurt job creation or retention, are outdated, or are otherwise inconsistent with the administration’s recent actions.
Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” directs federal agencies to reduce “unnecessary” federal rules through newly created task forces. Through the April 13, 2017 notice, the EPA’s regulatory reform task force is soliciting input to inform its evaluation of existing regulations. EPA is seeking comments from “entities significantly affected by federal regulations,” including businesses, trade groups, consumers, non-governmental organizations, and state and local governments. EPA has asked that commenters be as specific as possible in recommending the repeal or modification of particular regulations, and include supporting data, such as cost information.
This request presents a unique opportunity for businesses across the industry spectrum to voice their concerns about federal regulations that negatively impact their operations, and to help shape the future of EPA’s regulatory programs. Comments should be submitted by May 15 to docket number EPA-HQ-OA-2017-0190 on www.regulations.gov. Frost Brown Todd can assist with development of comments and with other aspects of EPA’s regulatory reform initiative. For more information, please contact Emily McKinney or another member of the Environmental Practice Group.