President Trump’s Executive Order Seeks to Reduce Federal Regulation

President Trump’s January 31, 2025, Executive Order (EO) titled “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,” is a part of the new Administration’s broader policy to reduce federal regulation.  The EO finds that federal regulations impose significant costs and complexities on American citizens and businesses that hinder economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness – and it is the Administration’s policy to alleviate these burdens.  This marks a policy change from the approach of the prior administration and is a broader effort than the regulatory reforms of the first Trump Administration.

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States, Advanced Reactor Developer Challenge NRC’s Authority to License Advanced Reactors

The outcome of a lawsuit filed at the end of 2024 challenging the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (“NRC’s or the Agency’s”) authority under a 1956 rule to license certain nuclear facilities could have important implications for advanced reactor licensing processes and the supply of electricity in the U.S. in the years ahead.

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Top 5 Energy Actions You Should Know from President Trump’s First Day

On January 20, 2025, President Trump began his second term with the signing of 26 executive orders (EOs), which included the recission of almost 80 EOs of the previous administration. Trump’s orders contain both repeals of key Biden Administration policies and calls to agency action to reassess treatment of major energy issues associated with domestic energy production. Here are the top five actions to know from President Trump’s first day as the new administration begins its reshaping of U.S. energy policy for his second term in office.

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Top 5 Environmental Actions You Should Know from President Trump’s First Day

On January 20, 2025, President Trump began his second term with the signing of 26 executive orders (EOs), which included the recission of almost 80 EOs of the previous administration. Trump’s orders contain both repeals of key Biden Administration policies and calls to agency action to reassess treatment of major environmental issues associated with motor vehicles, energy development, and climate change. Here are the top five actions to know from President Trump’s first day as the new administration begins its reshaping of U.S. environmental policy for his second term in office.

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes New Critical Habitat Designation in California

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed designating approximately 760,000 acres in California as critical habitat for four distinct population segments (DPSs) of the foothill yellow-legged frog, a species that is listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The critical habitat designation includes areas within the geographical range of the foothill yellow-legged frog that contain the physical or biological features that FWS has deemed essential to the species’ conservation, as well as areas outside the current range that are deemed necessary for the species’ recovery. EPA based its determination on the “best available scientific data after taking into consideration the economic impact, national security impact, and any other relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.”

Federal Government Withdraws Proposed Climate Disclosure Requirements for Federal Contractors

On January 13, 2025, the federal government withdrew a proposed rule that would have required government contractors to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and set emissions reduction goals. The withdrawal comes on the eve of the transition to the second Trump administration, which is expected to take a very different approach to climate regulation and disclosure than has been advanced during the Biden administration.

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EPA Announces List of Manufacturers Subject to Fees for Chemical Substances Under the Toxic Substances Control Act

On December 31, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) published a determination in the Federal Register announcing the availability of preliminary lists of manufacturers of five chemical substances designated as “High-Priority Substances” under Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The manufacturers — including importers — of these chemical substances will be subject to fees and reporting requirements under TSCA’s implementing regulations.

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Amends New Chemicals Review Process Under Toxic Substances Control Act

On December 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule modifying regulations governing the new chemicals review process under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (Final Rule). As amended by the 2016 Lautenberg Amendments, TSCA Section 5 establishes prior notice requirements before a new chemical can be manufactured or an existing chemical can be used in new ways.[1] The Final Rule updates EPA practices guiding its review of exemptions and safety determinations, as well as a submitter’s request to start manufacturing, and aligns the implementing regulations with the 2016 amendments.

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<a target=‘_blank’ href="https://www.sidley.com/en/people/b/boxerman-samuel-b">Samuel B. Boxerman</a>

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Dallas
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Terence T. Healey

Boston
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Kenneth W. Irvin

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Christopher J. Polito

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Michael L. Lisak

Chicago

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Brittany A. Bolen

Washington, D.C.
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Brooklyn Hildebrandt

Los Angeles
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Nicole E. Noëlliste

Washington, D.C.
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Hannah Posen

Chicago
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Jack Raffetto

Washington, D.C.

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