EPA Rescinds Trump Administration Clean Air Act Benefit-Cost Rule

On May 13, 2021, EPA announced steps to rescind the Trump Administration Benefit-Cost Rule, entitled “Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process.” The Trump-era rule is considered by some to be too favorable to industry. In response to President Biden’s regulatory review order, EPA conducted a comprehensive review of the Benefit-Cost Rule and concluded that the rule should be rescinded in its entirety for several reasons.

EPA held a virtual public hearing its decision on June 9, 2021.  The agency’s interim final rule will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA invites public comment on this rule, and intends to follow it with a final rule that responds to comments received during the public comment period.

More information on the rescission of the Benefit-Cost Rule is available on the EPA website at: https://www.epa.gov/air-and-radiation/rescission-2020-benefit-cost-rule.

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This update is courtesy of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF). For more information or to become a member, visit nasf.org.