 Energy & Environment |
Energy & Environment |
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Trump aims to loosen ethylene oxide standards |
The Trump administration proposed Friday to loosen rules surrounding emissions of a cancer-causing gas from sterilizer plants. |
© AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule to loosen requirements for sterilizer plants that emit a gas known as ethylene oxide. The EPA says ethylene oxide can cause lymphoma, myeloma and lymphocytic leukemia, as well as breast cancer in women. In 2022, it identified elevated cancer risks in nearly two dozen communities located near plants that release this toxic gas. In 2024, the Biden administration sought to cut down on sterilizer emissions by 90 percent. Now, the Trump administration is wiping out about a third of the emissions reductions that would have occurred under the Biden rules. The Biden-era regulation would have been expected to cut about 21 tons per year of ethylene oxide, while the Trump proposal would undo 7.8 tons per year of those reductions. In a statement, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the move was being made to prevent disruptions to the medical device supply chain, in which the chemical is used. "The Trump EPA is committed to ensuring life-saving medical devices remain available for the critical care of America's children, elderly, and all patients without unnecessary exposure to communities," Zeldin said. Read more at TheHill.com. |
Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. |
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| How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: |
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The U.S. is temporarily removing sanctions on Russian oil currently stranded at sea, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced late Thursday — the latest move by the Trump administration attempting to ease soaring energy prices amid the war with Iran. |
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The Trump administration is considering loosening shipping rules in an effort to lower fuel prices, which have surged as a result of the war in Iran. |
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to play down the quagmire in the Strait of Hormuz that is pushing up global energy prices, telling reporters on Friday, "We have been dealing with it; don't need to worry about it." |
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News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: |
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Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: |
Tuesday - The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on mineral commodity supply chains
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on electric power reliability
- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on various bills
Wednesday - Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, will have a confirmation hearing
- The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on implementation of the Endangered Species Act
- The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on lands-related bills
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Two key stories on The Hill right now: |
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday paused an interview with Sky News to attend a meeting with President Trump in the White House Situation Room before resuming the interview. Read more |
| House Republicans are threatening to oppose all Senate-passed legislation until the upper chamber advances the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, a GOP-backed voting requirements bill. Read more |
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You're all caught up. See you Monday! |
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