EPA: Clean Air Act Presidential Exemption Request Information; Send Requests To: airaction@epa.gov

On March 24, the US Environmental Protection Agency posted information on how industries regulated under a variety of federal Clean Air Act programs could obtain Presidential Exemptions from those requirements.

The exemption process covers restrictions on-

-- Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal and Oil-Fired Electric Generations

-- New Source Performance Standards, Hazardous Air Pollutants from Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing

-- Hazardous Air Pollutants from Ethylene Oxide Emission for Sterilization Facilities

-- Hazardous Air Pollutants from Rubber Tire Manufacturing

-- Hazardous Air Pollutants from Copper Smelting

-- Hazardous Air Pollutants from Iron and Steel Manufacturing

-- Hazardous Air Pollutants from Lime Manufacturing

-- Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coke Ovens

-- Hazardous Air Pollutants From Taconite Iron Ore Processing

Email Request Template

You may submit a request for a Presidential Exemption to this email address: airaction@epa.gov by March 31, 2025.  Please: 

Use “Presidential Exemption: [Name of Regulation]: [Facility(ies) Name]” as the subject of the request. 

Clearly identify the:  

-- Emissions standards or limitations subject to the request, 

-- Facility(ies) and/or affected source(s), and  

-- Length of compliance period being requested.  

-- Provide a justification to support the request, including: 

-- An explanation why the technology to implement the standard is not available, and 

-- An explanation why an extension is in the national security interests of the United States. 

If submitting information on behalf of another facility and/or affected sources that is not under your direct control or ownership, please provide appropriate delegation of authority to submit the request.

Do not submit proprietary information. If intending to submit proprietary information, please note that if you wish to submit proprietary information and EPA will follow up, as appropriate.

Click Here for the EPA announcement  [PDF of page].

Air Permits In Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection, Allegheny County and the City of Philadelphia administer the federal Clean Air Act permit program for the federal government, issue and enforce Air Quality Permit limits and requirements in the Commonwealth.

NewsClips:

-- The Guardian: Fossil Fuel Companies Get Direct Email Line To President For Air Pollution Control Exemption Requests

-- NYT: EPA Offers A Way For Power Plants, Others To Avoid Clean Air Rules - Send An Email And President Will Decide Based On National Security

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Foundation Distributes First Grants From US Steel Clairton Coke [Coal] Work Air Pollution Settlement 

[Posted: March 28, 2025]  PA Environment Digest