Pipeline expansion outpaces US safety agency’s capacity

The Biden administration is holding firm on some critical air pollution protections while conceding delays on others, signaling a shift in priorities as Trump's presidency approaches.

Sean Reilly reports for Politico.

In short:

• The EPA denied an industry coalition's request to roll back tougher safeguards against accidental toxic emissions from refineries and chemical plants.
• However, the agency has withdrawn plans to expand smog control measures and tighten incinerator pollution standards, citing new litigation deadlines.
• Finalizing these rules could take years, raising concerns about the health impacts of delayed action on pollutants affecting vulnerable communities.

Key quote:

“EPA will continue working on these Clean Air Act actions.”

— Nick Conger, EPA spokesperson

Why this matters:

Air pollution rules directly impact public health, especially in communities near industrial sites. Delays in implementing stricter standards leave residents exposed to harmful pollutants like mercury, lead and nitrogen oxides, which can cause respiratory issues and other long-term health risks. Communities already choking on polluted air — often low-income and minority neighborhoods — are left waiting for relief as litigation and bureaucratic hurdles drag timelines into the distant future.

Read more: Toxic air lingers in Texas Latino community, revealing failures in state’s air monitoring system.