Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), joined by nearly 60 of his colleagues, sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raising concerns about the worsening output of the New Chemicals Division, and the EPA’s unscientific risk evaluations of existing chemicals on the market.
Currently, the EPA has a backlog of nearly 400 pre-manufacturing applications still awaiting a risk determination, with the vast majority of them well past the statutory deadline. These delays are having significant negative effects on the chemical industry’s ability to introduce innovative chemicals to the market that may be safer, cleaner, or more efficient.
Additionally, the EPA is mismanaging its evaluations of existing chemicals by dramatically overestimating the risks associated with these chemicals, while ignoring the real world impacts of its determinations.
This letter builds on concerns raised before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials subcommittee held by Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and subcommittee Chairman Bill Johnson.
President and CEO, Chris Jahn, of The American Chemistry Council, a major trade association representing many chemical companies, voiced his support for the letter saying:
“The American Chemistry Council is grateful to Rep. Crenshaw and the co-signers of the letter for their leadership and commitment to ensuring the regulatory process supports and strengthens American manufacturing and innovation. America’s chemistry industry appreciates the Members’ understanding of this issue's importance and willingness to conduct needed oversight while working with the Biden Administration to ensure effective chemical management policy.”
The signers of the letter urgently call upon EPA Administrator Regan to address these concerns and questions in a timely manner.
Read the full letter here.