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The Phylmar Group Inc. Newsletter
March 2017, Issue #86
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Greetings,
In this issue we consider some recent developments that shed more light on the ambitious deregulation agenda of the Trump administration, including for environmental, health, and safety regulations. First, a copy of the 2018 proposed budget for the Environmental Protection Agency shows a decrease in overall funding by 25%, as well as a decrease in staffing levels by 20%. More details on the specific EPA programs proposed to be cut are provided below.
Next, we look at a recent Executive Order issued by President Trump titled, "
Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda
". The Order is the
latest in a series
creating a deregulatory framework for federal executive agencies to follow, including the formation of a "Regulatory Reform Task Force" to make recommendations for repealing, replacing, or modifying regulations that, among other possible triggers, eliminate jobs or inhibit job creation. More details are provided in this March issue of the Phylmar Group newsletter.
Enjoy,
Mark Katchen, CIH
Managing Principal
The Phylmar Group, Inc.
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| Trump Administration's EPA Budget Proposal Slashes Overall Funding by 25%; Targets Climate Action, Lead Cleanup |
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Summary of
article
by Timothy Gardner & Valerie Volcovici, Reuters, March 2, 2017
The president is proposing to cut a quarter of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's overall budget, targeting climate-change programs, air and water pollution programs such as lead contamination and enforcement levels. According to a source who read the 2018 EPA budget proposal document to Reuters, the 23-page proposal also aims to reduce staffing levels by 20 percent to 12,400. Some of the specific cuts proposed include:
- Grants to states for lead cleanup would be cut 30% to $9.8 million (State revolving funds to provide aid to Flint, Michigan were not cut).
- Grants to help Native American tribes reduce pollution would be cut 30% to $45.8 million.
- An EPA climate protection program on cutting emissions of greenhouse gases like methane would be cut 70% to $29 million.
- Funding for the brownfields industrial site cleanup program would be cut by 42% to $14.7 million.
- All staff at the Global Change Research program would be eliminated.
- 37 other EPA programs would be cut under the plan.
- Funding for enforcing pollution laws would be reduced by 11% to $153 million.
According to the source, the proposal has been sent to the EPA. The Agency has not responded to a request for comment and neither did The White House.
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President Trump Issues Executive Order, "Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda"
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Summary of
article
by Morrison Foerster LLP, Lexology, February 28, 2017
On February 24, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order "
Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda
," which advances the administration's agenda of decreasing regulatory requirements. The Order requires the head of each federal executive agency to designate a Regulatory Reform Officer (RRO) to implement regulatory reform initiatives and policies. The agency head must also establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to evaluate existing regulations and make recommendations to repeal, replace, or modify regulations that either:
- Eliminate jobs or inhibit job creation
- Are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective
- Impose costs that exceed benefits
- Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with regulatory reform initiatives and policies
- Are inconsistent with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. § 3516 note) or the guidance issued pursuant to that provision
- Derive from or implement Executive Orders or other Presidential directives that have been subsequently rescinded or substantially modified.
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Upcoming Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Events
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Did You Know?
Did you know as a PRR, AFIRM or BioPharma EHS Forum member that your benefits included access to Phylmar's global consulting network that provides concierge level service? The Phylmar Academy provides continuing EHS education and employee training. You can save up to 20% on these services through your membership. Contact Mark Katchen
(
mkatchen@phylmar.com
) for more information.
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About The Phylmar Group, Inc.
The Phylmar Group® is an organization that partners with best-in-class companies on their most challenging environmental, health and safety, and social responsibility issues by anticipating clients' needs from strategy to implementation. Our expert client advisors deliver innovative, responsible, efficient solutions addressing client needs and creating added value. For more information, visit
www.phylmar.com or call
+1 310.474.3937.
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