EPA Plans Major Shift in Environmental Enforcement Priorities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising its enforcement strategies, particularly in relation to the energy sector, following a memorandum issued on March 12, 2025. This shift allows for less stringent measures on energy production, with enforcement actions no longer able to shut down operations unless there is an imminent threat to human health. The EPA will focus on imminent health threats from coal ash while deprioritizing methane emissions from oil and gas facilities, and removing previous considerations for overburdened communities. These changes align with the Trump administration's directive to streamline regulatory burdens on energy production and emphasize compliance with executive orders. Critics argue that this rollback may compromise environmental protections and community health, reflecting a significant departure from the previous administration's enforcement priorities. The EPA intends to hold significant violators accountable, especially those posing risks to surrounding communities, but the overall regulatory environment is set to become less stringent.