Rollbacks and Exemptions Mean Increased Pollution

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, November 2, 2025

“After years of fierce grassroots advocacy from communities harmed by chemical plants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted the 2024 HON rule—Hazardous Organic NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants)—and projected that it would reduce air pollution-related risks for communities living near these facilities by about 96 percent while cutting the industry’s emissions by more than 6,200 tons annually” (Keerti Gopal, Inside Climate News, 10/22/25). Along with a proposal to roll back this lifesaving rule, a recent White House proclamation is exempting 50 chemical manufacturing plants from hard-won restrictions on cancer-causing pollutants.

Gulf South frontline residents and environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the White House proclamation claiming that “the exemption is unlawful and will increase health risks for communities in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Illinois and other states…. Nearly half of Americans are stuck with unhealthy levels of air pollution, and the trend is getting worse, according to the American Lung Association, especially in communities of color…. For Sharon Lavigne (founder and CEO of the grassroots Louisiana group RISE St. James), who has lost family and friends to cancer, this fight is personal: We have so many people being diagnosed with cancer, so many people that are dying of cancer, we have funerals just about every week because of the pollution.” (Keerti Gopal, Inside Climate News, 10/22/25)

Another rollback is in the works with a “$625 million plan to prop up the dying coal industry which would involve upgrading coal plants across the country and repealing dozens of existing regulations that limit mercury, carbon dioxide, and other pollutants from existing coal plants. [The results of this plan would mean] more air pollution that will make our families sick, more water pollution, threatening access to safe water, and higher electricity bills at a time when budgets are already stretched thin. Instead of doubling down on more fossil fuels, we must close coal and natural gas plants and replace them with renewable energy…. 100% renewable energy is within reach and crucial to avert the worst of climate chaos. Send your message to the EPA before November 3rd: No polluting coal expansion!” (Mitch Jones, Managing Director of Policy and Litigation, Food & Water Watch, 10/25/25)

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has created a “map that shows the location of more than 500 facilities, including large petrochemical plants and coal-fired plants…. At press time, more than 160 facilities across 40 states were known to have received exemptions…. Already, EDF and 11 other environmental groups have filed a lawsuit…. calling the use of a presidential exemption to postpone coal-fired power plants’ compliance with the standards an illegal scheme that gives these plants a free pass to pollute.” Check out what facilities are near you at https://www.edf.org/maps/epa-pollution-pass/ and contact the EPA [and your congressional representative].(Vanessa Glavinskas, Solutions, Environmental Defense Fund, Vol. 56, No. 4, Fall 2025)

PS Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday. You know what they say, “If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.” Your vote definitely counts! And it is our right and our responsibility.

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org. Click here for column archive.