Two leading chemical industry groups have asked the Trump administration for blanket exemptions to certain Biden-era regulations for all polluters.

The American Chemistry Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers requested that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exempt all polluters from Biden-era rules that limit their emissions of toxic chemicals. 

Just because the trade and lobbying groups are requesting these exemptions, it does not necessarily mean President Trump will grant them. 

However, their letter comes after the EPA administrator already indicated that he plans to overhaul a large slate of Biden-era regulations, including those in the chemical groups’ request. 

It also comes after the EPA set up an email address that created a simple portal for polluters to request presidential exemptions under the Clean Air Act late last month. 

In the Friday letter, which was first reported by Politico Pro, the groups say their industry needs an exemption because without one, they will have to act as if the Biden rules are in place — even as the Trump administration is poised to curtail them. 

“Absent a Presidential exemption, sources will be required to make irrevocable investment decisions now and into the coming months to minimize the amount of time facilities may need to be taken offline,” they wrote. “If implemented as written and in accordance with the current compliance schedule, domestic manufacturing production will be negatively impacted, threatening critical supply chains of chemicals that are vital to our nation’s security.”

Environmental groups criticized the EPA’s creation of the email address and the groups’ request. 

“Administrator Zeldin has opened a back door for companies to avoid complying with reasonable limits on the most toxic forms of air pollution, and they’re rushing through it with no regard for the communities around them,” said Vickie Patton, general counsel of the Environmental Defense Fund. 

“This is a huge blow to American families who now must worry about their loved ones breathing dirtier air, their kids missing more school days because of asthma attacks and suffering a lifetime of illness, and more cancer in their families,” she said.