Trump's EPA reforms are a huge boost to manufacturers, but there's more red tape to cut: expert

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The Trump administration's move to eliminate a swath of Biden-era power plant emissions standards will be a game changer for the U.S. economy, National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons told Fox News Digital.

Timmons hailed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for the move announced this week but noted that even more red tape remains to be cut.

"It really sent a signal to manufacturers that the administration was listening to our concerns," Timmons said of the cuts to power plant emissions standards.

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He said NAM and other groups had objected to former President Joe Biden's 2024 standards "very, very clearly" at the time, saying the standards were "simply unworkable."

"The timeline that they had proposed was just, it wasn't feasible. Not that the aspirations for, you know, for cleaner air and a healthier environment aren't good aspirations," Timmons said.

"I think we all share that. I know the current EPA and Administrator Zeldin certainly share those objectives, but how you get there really matters and whether manufacturers are able to meet the challenge.

Timmons noted that the Biden administration had heard its concerns but simply disagreed.

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The emissions regulations cut this week were removed by executive fiat, but Timmons says more lasting change must come through Congress as manufacturers hope to avoid regulatory whiplash between administrations.

"Uncertainty is the absolute worst enemy for manufacturers because manufacturers are on a very long-term horizon when it comes to planning and strategy, product development, research development. So, when administrations change, there has often been kind of that pendulum swing," Timmons said.

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One area he said could use further reform is permitting. NAM polling found that 80% of manufacturers say the length and complexity of the permitting process is harmful to increasing investment.

As many as 87% of manufacturers told NAM they would expand business operations, hire more workers or increase wages and benefits if the permitting process was more streamlined.

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Timmons said it is critical for Congress to hear directly from manufacturers when drafting legislation, however.

"There needs to be more opportunities for business to be at the table. To really explain what the art of the possible is. No one is saying that we should not be working hard to achieve cleaner air, cleaner water, healthier communities. In fact, we're saying exactly that. We should be part of the solution to make that happen," he said.