Implode-o-Meter News - Trump Admin Delayed EPA Rules That Would Improve Safety in Cases Like Harvey Chemical Plant Explosions

Coastal Houston is the site of a large concentration of chemical plants, refineries, superfund sites and fossil fuel operations. Some have suffered damage from Hurricane Harvey, releasing toxic compounds into the environment, and environmentalists, in turn, are pointing the finger at politicians and industry leaders who have sought to ax regulations.
Specifically, they're criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency for delaying a chemical plant safety rule once President Donald Trump took office. In part, the rule would have ensured first responders knew what chemicals they may come in contact with and how to handle those chemicals in an emergency response situation.
The intention was to help prevent and mitigate chemical accidents.
"The rules that were delayed were designed to reduce the risk of chemical releases," said Peter Zalzal, special projects director and lead attorney at Environmental Defense Fund. "This kind of situation underscores why we shouldn't be rolling these rules back."''

...

the EPA said: "None of the major amendments would have been effective until March 2018 and most well after that. The agency's recent action to delay the effectiveness of the 2017 amendments had no effect on the major safety requirements that applied to the Arkema Crosby plant at the time of the fire."

While it looks like the specific rules that would have been in effect (and improved safety) in the Texas situation would not be in effect yet anyways, this does not look good for Trump's priorities. This is a beautiful illustration of why blanket-cancellation of regulations just because a political foe presided over their passage is a phenomenally-bad idea.

Relevant:

Trump Admin Delayed EPA Rules That Would Improve Safety in Cases Like Harvey Chemical Plant Explosions