President Trump's EPA Delivers for Americans

Press Release

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Trump continues to deliver for the American people. Here are just five of the many ways the EPA is working to protect the public health and safety of U.S. communities for future generations:

1. Approving safe and effective disinfectants to combat COVID-19
The EPA has reviewed and approved more than 500 disinfectants to use to safely protect oneself from COVID-19 on surfaces.
2. Ensuring clean air and water across U.S. communities
Since 2017, air pollution in this country has fallen 7 percent; and unhealthy air days for sensitive groups have dropped 34%.
Due to improving air quality, EPA re-designated 40 areas as in attainment for air quality standards, which is a crucial step for maintaining public health and spurring economic growth.
EPA has helped finance more than $40 billion dollars in clean water infrastructure, supporting 7,100 high priority projects and 27,000 jobs during President Trump's first term.
EPA issued a Lead-Free rule to provide cleaner and safer drinking water by reducing lead content in plumbing materials from 8 percent to 0.25 percent
EPA launched the Great Lakes Trash Free Waters Grant Program to cleanup of the Great Lakes' beaches, shorelines and harbors.
America's water infrastructure has improved by providing 24 Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans. Combined with other funding sources, EPA has helped finance $11.7 billion for water infrastructure and create 25,000 jobs.
3. Cutting federal red tape while maintaining environmental standards
In January 2017, the backlog of pre-market reviews of new chemicals applications had grown to over 500 and the waiting period was months longer than what the law required (90 days) -- almost double its historical standing.
As of today, the number of chemicals EPA has had under pre-market review for over 90 days is less than 200, a 60 percent decrease, and the agency has completed over 2,900 new chemical submissions since the beginning of the presidential term.
Since January 2017, the EPA has cut the backlog of State Implementation Plans waiting agency approval by more than 70%, enabling states to implement air quality standards and accelerate air quality improvements
4. Accelerating deployment of energy infrastructure to promote innovation and reduce emissions.
Some questioned President Trump's announcement that the United States would leave the Paris Climate Accords, which would have disadvantaged the U.S. economy and compromised American competitiveness. Yet, the U.S. has seen a 15 percent reduction in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions since 2005.
During this time, the U.S. cut its greenhouse gas emissions, measured in tons, more than Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada combined.
China, meanwhile, has increased their emissions by over 50 percent since 2005.
Just at EPA, the Trump Administration in its first term has taken four concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gases.
The Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule is projected to cut overall carbon emissions from the U.S. power sector by 34 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.
The SAFE vehicles rule will reduce emissions compared to the previous administration's standards, which allowed companies to "comply" through purchasing credits related to actions that didn't really impact emissions.
A rule to reduce emissions from new aircraft represents the first time the U.S. has ever adopted emission standards for aviation.
And there are new rules making it easier and less expensive for natural gas companies to capture fugitive methane emissions from natural gas infrastructure and encourage technological innovation to modernize equipment and reduce leaks.
5. Promoting Environmental Justice and Protecting Communities
The EPA elevated Environmental Justice out of the Enforcement Office, and into the Administrator's office. This ensures that Environmental Justice is considered at the forefront of the EPA's policies and rulemakings.
The America's Water Infrastructure Act, which was signed into law by President Trump in 2018, codified the Office of Environmental Justice within EPA for the first time.
The Opportunity Zone Tax Credits created by the Trump Tax Reform of 2017 likely have done as much, if not more, to help Environmental Justice communities with their environmental problems than all the EJ grants of the past many years.
The EPA's Brownfields Program has helped create economic opportunities and make a real impact in communities across the nation. In fact, according to the EPA, as of May 2020 more than 167,000 jobs and $32.6 billion of public and private funding have been leveraged through the Brownfields grant funding. The Energy and Commerce Committee ledthe bipartisan effort to reauthorize and improve this program last Congress and will continue to find ways to help communities prosper as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and beyond.
The EPA under the Trump administration also created the PFAS Action Plan, a comprehensive effort to create partnerships and advance PFAS research and information sharing to boost the public health and safety of Americans.

These are just a few of the many ways that the EPA is working to help the American people and ensure we not only bounce back from COVID-19 but also stand ready to continue protecting our communities -- in all zip codes -- for future generations.

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