Washington, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Republican Leader John Shimkus (R-IL) released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of a first-ever proposed rule to establish clear requirements for the Agency in issuing guidance documents.
“This announcement is terrific news for the EPA, our federal government, and most importantly, American taxpayers. The Trump Administration has made great strides in righting the wrongs of the previous administration by making our federal government more efficient, transparent, and accessible. For far too long, EPA circumvented the rulemaking process through its use of guidance documents, which often led to significant burdens on American communities, businesses, and workers. Guidance documents typically have not been subject to a fair and transparent process for public review and comment, such as the last administration’s Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS, guidance. Today’s proposal creates more accountability and transparency in the guidance process, and we look forward to working with the Trump Administration to make sure the Executive Branch interprets and implements laws consistent with the intent of Congress and the will of the American people," Walden and Shimkus said.
Background:
This announcement comes after President Trump’s Executive Order 13891 that calls for more transparency, public input, and accessibility of guidance documents.
The EPA, one of the most active federal regulatory agencies, issues non-enforceable guidance documents to interpret existing law, clarify how EPA aims to implement a legal requirement, suggest ways for a regulated entity to comply, or make a policy on a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue.
