The top headline from the Environmental Protection Agency this week: The EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, has authorized the use of the pesticide cyclobutrifluram, its first so-called “forever chemical” or PFAS pesticide, for use on golf courses, cotton, soybeans, and lettuce. This controversial decision landed just days after President Trump’s administration pushed its fifth such PFAS-related proposal, highlighting a sharp shift in U.S. chemical regulation. According to Nathan Donley at the Center for Biological Diversity, “Trump’s chemical industry cronies at the EPA are unleashing a new forever chemical to protect golf courses and poison our country while flagrantly breaking the president’s promise to make America healthy again.”

This move isn’t happening in a vacuum. Even as much of the federal government faces a historic shutdown—leading to food stamp delays, unpaid federal workers, and sweeping disruptions—the EPA’s pesticide office has remained in full swing. Agency officials argue they’re prioritizing continuity for “critical regulatory activities.” But public health groups are alarmed, especially since PFAS chemicals are known for their environmental persistence and links to cancer, hormone disruption, and immune harm.

Meanwhile, an even bigger change is roiling the EPA landscape: Administrator Zeldin has announced what’s being called the “biggest deregulatory action in US history.” In recent weeks, the agency has advanced proposals to undo key Obama- and Biden-era climate rules, including plans to repeal the landmark Endangerment Finding, which underpinned climate action by recognizing greenhouse gases as dangerous to human health. This would cascade into scrapping car and truck emission standards and scaling back regulations on fossil fuel power plants. The American Action Forum notes these changes have sparked rare bipartisan concern, with lawmakers from both parties warning that rolling back greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting and regulation could undermine both environmental progress and transparency for businesses.

Industry groups and some state regulators back the EPA’s deregulatory agenda, saying looser standards lower energy and manufacturing costs and support grid reliability. For example, the agency’s relaxing of power plant emission rules is framed by advocates as a way to “support domestic energy production.” But environmental organizations and public health experts counter that repealing these protections could lead to increases in air and water pollution. The EPA’s own data show the power sector and transportation are responsible for over half of America’s GHG emissions, underscoring the stakes for climate and health.

States and cities are scrambling to adapt; some are pursuing their own stricter standards, but many lack resources or authority. Internationally, moves like repealing the Endangerment Finding risk undermining global climate efforts and U.S. credibility at upcoming climate summits.

If you’re concerned about these changes, the EPA is inviting public comment on several proposals, including the repeal of greenhouse gas standards for vehicles and the latest science on PFAS chemicals in pesticides. Submit your feedback through the EPA’s official regulations portal—your voice can shape these major decisions. Upcoming deadlines include a 30-day window for comments on vehicle emission rules, closing in early December.

For the latest updates or to get involved, visit the EPA’s news center or your state environmental agency. Stay tuned: the agency is expected to unveil further deregulation plans affecting water protections and hazardous chemical disclosures in the weeks ahead. Thanks for joining us. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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