EPN Comments on Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category
EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposal to extend steam electric effluent limitation deadlines.
EPN In Action November-December 2025
Welcome to your EPN In Action Newsletter
National Policy Highlights
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EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposed revisions to the PFAS reporting rule, warning that exemptions for small businesses, articles, byproducts, and de minimis concentrations conflict with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 8(a)(7) and would significantly reduce critical data needed to assess PFAS risks and protect public health and the environment.
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EPN submitted comments requesting a 15-day extension to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule’s 45-day comment period, citing holiday constraints and the proposal’s significant impacts on Clean Water Act (CWA) protections and public review needs.
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EPN submitted comments strongly urging EPA not to finalize the proposed unconditional registration of epyrifenacil, a new systemic protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor herbicide. EPN asserts that the agency has exhibited a “rush to judgment” and that the current administrative record is insufficient to meet the statutory standards required for registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
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EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposed TSCA rule changes that weaken 2024 protections, urging EPA to retain requirements for full exposure assessments, aggregate risk analysis, and evaluations of overburdened communities.
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EPN submitted comments imploring EPA to withdraw its proposal to repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, citing threats to transparency, policymaking, industry stability, and climate accountability.
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EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposal to extend steam electric effluent limitation deadlines for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category, arguing they lack legal authority, technological basis, and endanger public health and water quality.
Technical Assistance and Civil Service Resiliency Updates
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EPN is now housing a DOE Alumni Network. As part of its launch, the Network has hired its first Executive Director, Jocelyn Brown-Saracino, who brings 15 years of experience at the Department of Energy (DOE), most recently serving as DOE’s Offshore Wind Lead in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The DOE Alumni Network will connect former DOE employees to support one another and advance the Department’s mission.
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During November and December, EPN connected 47 unique volunteers to over 306 requests for technical assistance from frontline communities, nonprofit organizations, under-resourced government agencies, and others—in addition to hundreds of requests from federal grantees that were frozen out of their funds, terminated, or otherwise under attack.
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In addition, EPN and the DOE Network hosted four webinars each with close to 1,500 attendees combined to provide information and resources to grantees navigating federal funding, and sent updates and potential actions to hundreds of grantees.
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EPN also continued to support current EPA staff with resources and services, including a job board, helpful links and FAQs, and connections to EPA alumni for additional support.
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In November, EPN hosted a webinar in partnership with the Government Accountability Project and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility to help participants better understand whistleblower rights and the differences between whistleblowing and anonymous activism.
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EPN volunteers were featured in dozens of media outlets. EPN continues to provide in-depth, insightful background information to numerous reporters, congressional staffers, and nonprofits.
EPN’s Work on Water
Betsy Southerland, former Director, Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, was quoted in E&E News about the dangers of the movement to get EPA to consider mifepristone a contaminant. Adam Ortiz, former EPA Regional Administrator, spoke with The Baltimore Banner about efforts to preserve the Chesapeake Bay. Debra Shore, former Regional Administrator, EPA Region 5, spoke with First Alert 4 about the settlement requiring Cahokia Heights to fix chronic sewer overflows.
Re: Updated Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’; Request for Extension of Comment Period
EPN submitted comments requesting a 15-day extension to the WOTUS rule’s 45-day comment period.
Water in the News
Anti-abortion campaign takes aim at EPA water-testing rules
As the Chesapeake Bay cleanup enters a new era, it’s fighting for relevance
Cahokia Heights residents hope for sewers to stop flooding lawns a year after city settlement
EPN’s Public Hearing Testimonies
EPN’s Work on Toxics and Pesticides
Chris Frey, former Chair of EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, spoke with Inside EPA about EPA’s proposed changes to the TSCA formaldehyde evaluation. Tracey Woodruff, former EPA Senior Scientist and Policy Advisor in the Office of Policy, spoke with ProPublica about the importance of implementing strict regulations on chemicals. Linda Birnbaum, former Director of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and EPA scientist, spoke with The Washington Post about the dangers of ultra-short chain compounds in pesticides.
EPN Comments on EPA’s Proposed Rule: Procedures for Chemical Risk Evaluation Under TSCA
EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposed TSCA rule changes that weaken 2024 protections.
EPN Comments on PFAS Data Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA; Revision to Regulation
On December 29, 2025, EPN submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposed revisions to the PFAS reporting rule.
Toxics and Pesticides in the News
TSCA Formaldehyde Memo May Set Precedents On Risk Endpoints, IRIS
Under Former Chemical Industry Insiders, Trump EPA Nearly Doubles Amount of Formaldehyde Considered Safe to Inhale
EPA just approved new ‘forever chemical’ pesticides for use on food
More Examples of EPN in the News
EPN volunteers were quoted in additional articles about the changes being made to EPA and the importance of EPN’s work.
Marc Boom, Senior Director of Public Affairs at EPN; Chris Frey, former Chair of EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee; and Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, former Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development, were quoted in E&E News about the senate spending bill and the importance of funding for EPA. Jeremy Symons, Senior Adviser to EPN, spoke with The Associated Press about EPA eliminating all mentions of fossil fuels on EPA websites. Joe Goffman, former Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, spoke with E&E News about EPA’s repeal of the endangerment finding.
EPN in the News
Former EPA staffers back Senate spending bill
EPA eliminates mention of fossil fuels in website on warming’s causes. Scientists call it misleading
EPA falls behind schedule for repealing endangerment finding