According to the report Even More Permission to Pollute? Impacts of Presidential Exemptions to Clean Air Act Provisions, the EPA is authorizing some of the largest and riskiest polluters for exemption from key Clean Air Act rules under Administrator Zeldin. The EPA invited applications for exemptions earlier this year, effectively allowing eligible industries to avoid air pollution regulations for mercury and other toxicants by emailing President Trump.
In the report by EDGI’s Environmental Enforcement Watch, analysis of EPA’s own data shows that facilities eligible for these exemptions pose a greater risk to public health than facilities not eligible. Eligible facilities release more harmful pollutants and have a higher rate of non-compliance to air pollution laws than other facilities. They also are more likely to disproportionately impact low-income and communities of color. Meanwhile, the presidential exemption process bypasses administrative procedures intended to ensure scientific review, public feedback, and congressional approval for all EPA actions.
Even More Permission to PolluteAuthor(s): Kimberly L. Barrett, Steve Hansen, Allison Uri, Eric Nost, Christopher Cane, Carly Hagen, Chris Sellers, Taylor Stevens, Shannan Lenke Stoll, and EDGI
Publication Date: November 12, 2025
Preferred Citation: “Even More Permission to Pollute? Impacts of Presidential Exemptions to Clean Air Act Provisions,” (Environmental Data & Governance Initiative, November 12, 2025)
CONTACT: Report authors are available for interview. To set up media interviews or for other inquiries, please contact Shannan Lenke Stoll at shannanlenke.stoll@envirodatagov.org.