NW Houston News

Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) and nearly 60 of his colleagues have sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressing concerns about the New Chemicals Division's declining productivity and the EPA's unscientific risk evaluations of existing chemicals on the market. The letter highlights the backlog of almost 400 pre-manufacturing applications still awaiting a risk determination, with most of them exceeding the statutory deadline. These delays are adversely impacting the chemical industry's ability to introduce innovative, safer, cleaner, and more efficient chemicals to the market.

In addition to the backlog, the EPA's evaluations of existing chemicals are being mismanaged. The agency is overestimating the risks associated with these chemicals while disregarding the real-world impacts of its determinations. This issue was previously addressed during a hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials, chaired by Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Bill Johnson.

Chris Jahn, the President and CEO of The American Chemistry Council, a prominent trade association representing many chemical companies, expressed support for the letter. In a statement, Jahn said, "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 are urging EPA Administrator Regan to promptly address these concerns and questions. They emphasize the importance of timely action in rectifying the current issues surrounding the New Chemicals Division and the evaluation process for existing chemicals.

For the full text of the letter, click here.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://crenshaw.house.gov/2023/12/crenshaw-letter-to-epa