Democratic senators are asking the Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pause some or all of their rulemaking in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
A group of eight lawmakers wrote to the EPA asking it to halt the finalization or implementation of any rules that “are likely to result in an increase in toxic chemicals or air or water pollution,” arguing that they could worsen the situation.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we urge the EPA to halt the finalization or implementation of any rules and guidance documents that could impede air quality or are likely to result in the release of additional toxic chemicals into the air and environment while the coronavirus public health crisis continues,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter dated Thursday.
“All federal agencies should be taking whatever steps they can to prevent worsening this already devastating pandemic, including by refraining from actions that will exacerbate underlying conditions that leave people at greater risk for infection and death,” they added.
They particularly singled out regulations including proposed changes to mercury and air toxics standards and proposed rollbacks regarding methane and waste from power plants called coal ash.
An EPA spokesperson said in a statement that the agency is “committed to giving the public ample time to participate in the rulemaking process as we continue moving forward with our regulatory agenda.”
“Understanding that we are working under unprecedented times, EPA will continue to take this into consideration as we make progress on our mission of protecting human health and the environment,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, three Democratic senators wrote to the Interior Department on Friday, saying that it should “stop pursuing any policy proposals or actions unrelated to the COVID-19 emergency that require a public comment period.”
“Americans should not be required to find and comment on the Department’s rule making, while they are experiencing major disruptions with childcare, employment, and safety,” they wrote.
An Interior Department spokesperson told The Hill that it will continue to look at comment periods and other actions on a “case-by-case basis with adjustments being made as necessary to ensure proper public input is received, while protecting the health and safety of the public and our employees.”
The letter to the EPA was signed by Sens. Ed Markey
Edward (Ed) John MarkeyDemocratic senators call on domestic airlines to issue cash refunds for travelers Overnight Energy: Critics blast EPA move as ‘license to pollute’ during pandemic | Trump expected to roll back Obama mileage standards| Group plans to sue over rollback of water law Hillicon Valley: Twitter says Chinese official’s virus disinformation doesn’t violate rules | Hackers target WHO | Senators urge agencies to stop coronavirus robocalls MORE (D-Mass.), Cory Booker
Cory Anthony BookerMaryland Legislative Black Caucus pushes for state to release racial breakdown of coronavirus impact Democrats eye additional relief checks for coronavirus Lawmakers, labor leaders ramp up calls to use Defense Production Act MORE (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenMaryland Legislative Black Caucus pushes for state to release racial breakdown of coronavirus impact Hillicon Valley: T-Mobile, Sprint complete merger | Warren pushes food delivery apps to classify workers as full employees | Lawsuit accuses Zoom of improperly sharing user data Warren calls on food delivery apps to classify workers as full employees MORE (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley
Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyDemocratic senators ask Pompeo to provide coronavirus aid to Palestinian territories House bill would ban stock trading by members of Congress Lawmakers ask Trump administration to help Gulf oil and gas producers MORE (D-Ore.), Kamala Harris
Kamala Devi HarrisMaryland Legislative Black Caucus pushes for state to release racial breakdown of coronavirus impact Biden associates reach out to Holder about VP search Biden confirms he’s considering Whitmer for VP MORE (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin
Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinSenator Tom Coburn’s government oversight legacy Democratic lawmakers demand government stop deporting unaccompanied children Legal immigrants at risk of losing status during coronavirus pandemic MORE (D-Ill.), Bob Casey
Robert (Bob) Patrick CaseyDemocratic senators call on domestic airlines to issue cash refunds for travelers Coronavirus stimulus package shouldn’t leave out older Americans Sunday shows preview: Trump administration gears up for new week of coronavirus response; Sanders prepares for next phase of primaries MORE Jr. (D-Pa.) and Tammy Duckworth
Ladda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthIllinois governor endorses Biden one day before primary Trump weighs in on airport screening delays: ‘We must get it right. Safety first!’ Returning Americans face long screening lines at airports MORE (D-Ill.).
The letter to the Interior Department was signed by Merkley and Sens. Ron Wyden
Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenHillicon Valley: Zoom draws new scrutiny amid virus fallout | Dems step up push for mail-in voting | Google to lift ban on political ads referencing coronavirus Democrats press Trump, GOP for funding for mail-in ballots Zoom CEO says company reached 200 million daily users in March MORE (D-Ore.) and Tom Udall
Thomas (Tom) Stewart UdallDemocratic senators ask Pompeo to provide coronavirus aid to Palestinian territories Democrats press Pompeo to help Americans stranded abroad amid coronavirus Democrats press FEC pick to recuse himself from Trump matters MORE (D-N.M.).
On Thursday, the EPA did announce it would extend the period for public comments on one proposal referenced in the senators’ letter. People were given an additional month to comment on the proposed Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science rule, also known as the “secret science” rule, which would limit the agency’s use of studies that don’t make their underlying data public.
“EPA is committed to giving the public ample time to participate in the rulemaking process,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler
Andrew WheelerOvernight Energy: Trump says global oil production could be cut by 15M barrels | Trump to rent storage space to oil producers | EPA defends move to suspend pollution monitoring EPA gives public more time to comment on ‘secret science’ rule EPA defends suspension of pollution monitoring in letter to Congress MORE said in a statement on that decision.
The letters also come amid a broader push from advocacy groups to suspend rulemaking or lengthen comment periods during the virus outbreak for similar reasons.
—Updated at 4:49 p.m.
