EPA brings back stricter air pollution rules regarding industrial facilities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reinstated a policy requiring major polluters to maintain stringent emissions controls, reversing a significant environmental rollback from the Trump administration. The revised "Once In, Always In" rule now mandates continuous pollution controls for facilities emitting toxic substances such as arsenic and benzene.

Previously, Trump's 2020 rollback allowed facilities to increase emissions, but the new regulation reimposes stricter standards. While some industrial sources might still change their classification, the majority will remain under stringent emissions regulations.

The EPA emphasizes that all communities, particularly those near major polluting sources, deserve clean air free from harmful pollutants. Strengthening these controls is crucial for reducing health risks, including cancer, that disproportionately affect low-income communities living near industrial facilities.