The biggest headline out of the Environmental Protection Agency this week is the announcement of a proposed plan to address drinking water contamination at the Tinkham Garage Superfund Site in Londonderry, New Hampshire. This plan aims to protect residents who rely on groundwater, and the EPA is inviting public comments from now through August 12, with community meetings scheduled so local voices can be heard before a final decision in September. This move, according to EPA officials, demonstrates their commitment to transparency and public engagement in environmental health decisions.
Shifting to regulatory matters, there are sweeping changes underway. The EPA has proposed rolling back greenhouse gas regulations for power plants, stating that these facilities do not significantly contribute to dangerous air pollution under current interpretations of the Clean Air Act. If finalized, this could mean an end to rules that were projected to cut 1.38 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2047, an amount equivalent to taking more than 320 million cars off the road for a year. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claims this is about balancing environmental protection with economic growth, emphasizing that “we can both protect the environment and grow the economy.” However, these proposals are sparking debate among environmental groups and state governments, many of whom worry about increased air pollution and public health risks.
On the chemical safety front, the EPA recently withdrew its plan to further revise the risk management rule for chrysotile asbestos and will not open the rule for additional public comment at this time. Instead, Deputy Assistant Administrator Lynn Ann Dekleva announced the agency will explore issuing guidance to clarify workplace protections under the existing rule. Some industry groups and health advocates see this as a pause rather than progress, with further legal proceedings scheduled for early August.
The agency is also making headlines for internal turmoil. Following a letter signed by 139 EPA employees criticizing the Trump administration’s deregulation efforts and potential scientific capacity cuts, those employees have been placed under investigation and on administrative leave. Their concerns include weakened mercury standards, extended deadlines for removing toxic chemicals from drinking water, and a proposed 54 percent budget cut for 2026, which they argue could threaten protections for all Americans.
One notable resource update: the EPA just launched new online portals to give the public full transparency on geoengineering and contrails, addressing widespread questions and misconceptions with science-backed information. Administrator Zeldin stressed, “Americans have legitimate questions...and they deserve straight answers,” inviting the public to explore the facts presented.
For American citizens, these developments touch everything from the safety of local drinking water to concerns about air quality and the agency’s ability to enforce environmental laws. For businesses, especially those in energy and chemical sectors, the deregulatory trend could mean fewer compliance costs but also more marketplace uncertainty as rules change. State and local governments may face increased pressure to fill regulatory gaps, especially in areas like emissions monitoring and public health protection. Internationally, these changes risk straining partnerships on climate action, as other countries watch for signals on US commitment to environmental agreements.
Listeners can participate in public comment periods, especially on the proposed drinking water remedy in New Hampshire and pending deregulation rules affecting air quality. For those looking to learn more, the EPA’s new online resources on geoengineering and drinking water are now live.
Be sure to tune in next week as the EPA finalizes community feedback in New Hampshire, as legal proceedings advance on asbestos standards, and as agency leadership faces ongoing scrutiny. For ways to comment or get involved, visit the EPA’s website. Thanks for listening—don’t forget to subscribe for the latest updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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