A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR RESISTING THE TRUMP …hillheat.com/files/GuidetoresistingEPADereg.2017.pdfA...

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A PRACTICAL GUIDE

FOR RESISTING THE TRUMP DE-REGULATORY AGENDA

Formeragencystaffersrevealbestpractices

for“makingagencieslisten”

APRACTICALGUIDEFORRESISTINGTHETRUMPADMINISTRATION’SDE-REGULATORYAGENDA--7-13-2017

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ABOUTTHISGUIDE

ThisguideisaprojectofSaveEPA,anall-volunteerorganizationbasedinColoradoandmadeupofformeremployeesoftheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.Wehaveexpertiseinenvironmentalscience,lawandpolicy.Weareusingourcollectiveexpertisetoeducateandadvocateaboutenvironmentalscience,environmentalprotectionsandtheTrumpAdministration’sassaultonEPAandourpublichealth.

Asformerstafferswhohelpeddevelop,issueandenforcestandardsforcleanair,waterandlandandasafeclimate,wearegravelyconcernedthattheAdministration’sattempttobroadlyrollbackregulationscoulddepriveourcountryandplanetofcriticallyimportantprotectionsforyearstocome.Asthisguideexplains,puttingstandardsandotherprotectionsinplaceentailsalong,careful,information-ladenprocess.Repealingprotectionsthatwillneedtobereplacedwilltakeyearsthatwehavedonothavetowaste.

Wehavewrittenthisguidetobeusefulincounteringattemptstorollbackpublicprotectionsissuedbyanyfederalagency.EPAisresponsibleforprotectingthepublicandenvironmentfrompollution,andotherfederalagenciesareresponsibleforprotectingworkers,consumers,patients,students,andotherimportantsegmentsofoursociety.Together,federalagencieshavebeenchargedbyCongresstoworkonbehalfoftheAmericanpeoplethroughlawsthatCongresshaspassedtohelpmakeournationasafe,secure,fairandproductiveplacetolive,work,learnandplay.

WewereinspiredtowritethisguidebytheIndivisibleGuidewrittenbyformercongressionalstafferstoprovideinsightandadviceabouthowto“makeCongresslisten”toconcernsabouttheTrumpAdministrationagenda(https://www.indivisibleguide.com).WereferencetheIndivisibleGuideandfollowsomeofitsorganizationandphrasing,butweandourguideareindependentoftheIndivisibleorganization.Wearewhollyandsolelyresponsibleforthecontentofthisguide.

Thisguideisa“firstedition”tobefollowedbylater,improvededitionsaswegetfeedback.Weareeagertohearyourcomments,questionsandsuggestions,andtolearnaboutyourexperiencesinusingtheguideandgettingagenciestolisten.Pleaseemailusatsaveepa.guide@gmail.com–andpleasespreadthewordandthisguide!

INTRODUCTIONTheTrumpAdministrationistakingdeadaimatregulationsthatprotectpeople’slives,livelihoodsandcommunities.Thelistofregulationsunderattackislong.Itincludesrulesthatkeepbanksfrommakingriskybetsusing–andpotentiallylosing--customers’money,andrulesthatkeeppowerplantsandotherfacilitiesfromspewingdangerouspollutionthatleadstoillness,deathandclimatechange.Alsoonthechoppingblockarerulesthatkeepworkerssafe


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andourwaterclean.TheWashingtonPosthascompiledamorecompletelistavailablebyclickingtrump-rolling-back-obama-rules.

Fortunately,nopresidentcanrollbackregulationsbyfiat.TheTrumpAdministrationmustgothroughthesameprocessthat’susedformakingregulations,andthatprocessgiveseveryonetheopportunitytoparticipate.Regulatedbusinessesaresuretoparticipate,sincetheyaredirectlyaffectedandmaysavemoneyifregulationsaredelayed,watereddownorrepealed.Publicinterestgroupsarelikelytoparticipate,too,buttheycan’tbeexpectedtosaveregulationsallontheirown.Asmembersofthepublicthattheregulationsaredesignedtoprotect,weneedtobeloudandclearthattheregulationsareimportanttous.Wecan’taffordtobesilentwhilePresidentTrumptriestotakeawayourprotections.

It’simportanttounderstandthattheprocessofmakingorunmakingaregulationisnotlikeanelection.Anagencymustfollowthelawsandfactsrelevanttotheregulation,anditmustconsiderandrespondtoallthepubliccommentsitreceivesonaproposaltocreate,changeorrepealaregulationbeforeitmakesitsfinaldecision.

Publiccommentscaninformandevenforcetheagency’sthinkinginseveralways.Acommentcanprovideinformationandmakepointsthatcanorshouldchangeagencyofficials’minds.Acommentcanhelpillustratetheneedfortheruleorindicateastronginterestintherule.Whileanagencymustfollowtherelevantlawandfacts,itgenerallyhassomeleewaytomaketherulestrongerorweaker.Publiccommentscanhelppushtheagencyonewayortheother.

TheTrumpAdministrationmaynotbepersuadedbypubliccommentsthatrelyonfacts,reasonandconcernforthegreatergood.Butpubliccommentscanstillhaveapotenteffectbyexposingproblems.The“administrativerecord”thatiscreatedinthecommentperiodmaybeusedbyacourttooverturnanagency’sdecisiontorollbackarule.

Courtslookcarefullyatwhetheranagency’sdecisioncomplieswiththelaw,takesaccountoftherelevantfacts,respondsrationallytopubliccomments,andiswell-reasoned.Publiccommentsplayanimportantroleinthisreview.Courtchallengestoagencydecisionsaregenerallylimitedtoissuesthathavebeenraisedinpubliccommentssothattheagencyhasachancetoconsiderthem.Butagoodcommentmadebyonepersoncanbethebasisforacourtchallengebroughtbyanyone,includingapublicinterestgroup.Membersofthepublicoftenhavespecificknowledgerelevanttoarule(forexample,aboutanaffectedcommunity)thatpublicinterestgroupsdonot,soprovidingthatinformationinpubliccommentscanbeimportanttoeffectivelypushingbackagainstrollingbackarule.


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Publiccommentscanalsoshowthattheregulationunderattackhasstrongpublicsupport.Broadpublicandsocialmediacampaignscanhelpdrivethatpointhome.TrumpAdministrationappointeesmaynotcaremuchaboutpublicopinion,butmembersofCongressdo–orcanbemadetocarethenexttimethey’reupforelection.PresidentTrump’sde-regulatoryagendaneedstobefoughtbothasbadpolicyandasbadpolitics.

ThisguideprovidesinformationandtipsforweighinginagainstrulemakingstorollbackrulesandforengaginginbroadereffortstodirectpublicoutcryatagenciesandmembersofCongress.Drawingonourexperienceasformeragencystaffers,weofferinformationandadviceinthisguideformakingagencieslisten,andforhelpingtocreatearulemakingrecordtowhichareviewingcourtwilllisten.

TableofContents

• SECTION1debunkstheTrumpAdministration'sstandardclaimsforrollingbackregulations.

• SECTION2providesbasicinformationabouthowregulationsaremade.

• SECTION3offersadviceabouthowtoparticipateeffectivelyintherulemakingprocess.

• SECTION4suggestscomplementarytacticstobeusedoutsidetherulemakingprocess.

• SECTION5describeshowtofindoutaboutde-regulatoryactionsandprovideslinkstoorganizationstrackingthoseactions.

• TheAPPENDIXprovideslinkstootherhelpfulguidesandmaterials.

SECTION1:DEBUNKINGTHETRUMPADMINISTRATION’STALKINGPOINTSAGAINSTREGULATIONS

PresidentTrumpwantstomakeregulationadirtyword.Heandothersinhisadministrationmakebroadclaimsagainstregulationthathavelittleornobasisinfactandignorethepublicprotections(andoften,netcostsavings)thatregulationsprovide.Theirnegativetalkingpointswillberepeatedoverandoverastheymovetorollbackregulations,soit’susefultodebunkthemainoneshere.InresistingtheTrumpAdministration'sroll-backefforts,youmayfinditusefultodebunkafewofthesetalkingpointsyourselfincommentstoagencies.


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CLAIM:“Regulationscosttoomuch”

Likelaws,regulationsareoftenputinplacetopreventbusinessesandpeoplefromactinginwaysthathelpthemselvesbutharmothers.Changingunsafeorotherwiseriskyproductsorpracticescancosttheregulatedbusinessorpersonmoney,butitsavesthepublicmoney(nottomentionpainandsuffering)byavoidingharms,includingillness,injuries,orevendeath.Preventingdiscriminationorunfairbusinesspracticeshascosts,too,buttheyprotectourcivilrightsandprovidemoreequaleconomicopportunities.Intheenvironmentalrealm,regulationssavethepublicmoneybymakingpolluterspaytoavoidorcleanupthepollutiontheycreate,insteadofburdeningtaxpayerswiththesecosts.

Regulationsaredesignedtoachievetheirobjectivesatloworreasonablecost.Sincethe1980s,Presidentshaverequiredfederalagenciestoestimatethecostsofaregulationaspartoftherulemakingprocess.Forbiggerticketrules(thosewithannualcostsof$100millionormore),agenciesmustalsoconductacost-benefitanalysisandconsideralternativeapproaches.TheeconomicexpertsattheWhiteHouseOfficeofManagementandBudgetsetahighbarfortheseanalyses.Agenciesarerequiredtoquantifythecostsandbenefitstotheextentpossible,andidentifyandweighbenefitsthatcannotbequantified.Agenciesmustalsomaketheiranalysesavailableforpublicreviewandcommentaspartoftherulemakingprocesssotheanalysescanbeimprovedbeforefinaldecisionsaremade.

ManyregulationstargetedbytheTrumpAdministrationprovidebenefitsthatexceed–andformanyenvironmentalregulations,farexceed–theircosts.Somerules,likethegreenhousegas/fueleconomystandardsforcarsandtrucks,evenpayforthemselvesinashortperiodoftimeandgoontosaveconsumerslargeamountsofmoneyoverthelongterm.Claimsthatregulationscosttoomuchtypicallyfocusjustonthecoststotheregulatedbusinessorperson,andignorethebenefitsandsavingstoothermembersofthepublic.Fairevaluationofaregulationrequireslookingatbothcostsandbenefitstosocietyasawhole.

CLAIM:“Regulationscostjobs”

Regulationsgenerallyhaveonlyasmallimpactonjobscomparedtoothereconomicfactors.Joblossesinindustrieslikecoalminingandmanufacturingarelargelytheresultofautomationandpricecompetitionwithlower-costfuelsandlower-wagecountries.Someregulationsareestimatedtocauseeconomicshiftslargeenoughtoresultinlossofsomejobsandcreationofotherjobs,suchasregulationscombattingpollutionthathavetheeffectofpushingtheeconomyforwardtonewer,cleanertechnologiessuchaswindandsolarpower.Regulationscandrivecreationofjobsneededforcompliance,suchasinindustriesthatbuildequipmentforreducingpollutionormakingcarssafer.Someregulationssafeguardexistingjobsbyprotecting


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naturalresourcesimportanttotourism,farmingorfishing.iOtherregulationsmakejobssaferandworkplacesmorefair.(Forreferencesonjobsimpactsofregulation,seeendnoteii.)

Totheextentaregulationhasanynegativeimpactonjobs,itistheresultofatransparentefforttoprotectthepublicfromwell-documented,significantrisksthatCongressdirectedtheregulatingagencytoaddress.Nooneargueswithbanningdangerousdrugseventhoughjobsproducinganddistributingthosedrugsarelostintheprocess.

CLAIM:“Regulationsareimposedbyunelectedbureaucrats”

AgenciescanonlyissueregulationsauthorizedbythelawsCongresswrites,andallmembersofCongressareelected.Lawsgenerallyspecifywhataregulationshouldaccomplishandhow.Congressalsohasthepowertorepealregulationsbyamendinglawsorpassingnewlegislation.

ThetopagencyofficialsempoweredbyCongresstoissueregulationsareappointedbythePresidentandcanbefiredbythePresident.TheyarealsotypicallyconfirmedbytheSenate.Sincethe1980s,presidentshaverequiredthatagenciessubmittheirdraftrulestotheWhiteHouseOfficeofManagementandBudgetforreview.IfWhiteHouseofficials,includingthePresident,don’tlikeadraftrule,theycananddoasktherule-writingagencytoconsiderchangingit.Whileagencyheadsarenotelectedofficials,theytakeanoathtoimplementtheirdutiesinaccordancewiththelaw,andtheyareexpectedtoadvancethepolicyagendaofthePresident,thenation’stopelectedofficial.

CLAIM:“Statescantakecareoftheproblem”

Thepurposeoffederalregulationistoassureminimumprotectionsacrossthecountry.LawspassedbyCongresscallonEPA,forexample,tosetnationalstandardsforcontrollingpollutiontoprovideeveryAmericanabasiclevelofprotection.Nationalstandardshelpstatesprotectthehealthandwelfareoftheirresidentswhencompetingwithoneanotherforbusiness,andprovidebusinesseswithalevelplayingfieldfromonestatetothenext.Sincemanyformsofpollutiondon’trespectstateboundaries,nationalstandardsorprogramsarealsoimportantforprotectingtheairwebreathe,thewaterwedrink,andthewaterbodiesmanystatesshare,liketheChesapeakeBayandtheGreatLakes.

Federallawsoftencallonstatestoplayanimportantroleinfederalregulatoryprograms,makingthoseprogramsafederal-statepartnership.InthecaseofEPA’scleanairprogram,forexample,statesdevelopandimplementprogramstailoredtotheircircumstancesformeetingandenforcingnationalstandardswithintheirborders.ButEPAisultimatelyresponsibleforseeingthatthosestandardsaremet.Congressrecognizedthatfederaloversightand


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enforcementprovidestrongincentivesforstatestoplaytheirroleandforregulatedentitiestomeettheirrequirements.Whentheydon’t,thelawdirectsEPAtostepintoprovidetheprotectionsthatCongresssoughtforallAmericans.

CLAIM:“Regulationshouldfocusonlyonthe‘basics’”

Thisisgenerallycodeforwithdrawingpublicprotectionsthathavebeenadoptedtoaddressemergingproblems.AprimeexampleistheTrumpAdministration’sclaimthatEPAshouldfocusonwhatAdministrationofficialsclaimaretheagency’s“core”responsibilitiesforcleanair,waterandland,andnotalsocombattheveryseriousproblemofclimatechange.Puttingasidethefactthatclimatechangeadverselyaffectsair,waterandland,federalenvironmentallawsdon’tspelloutorsaytostopwiththe“basics”--theycallonEPAtofollowscientificdevelopments,identifyemergingthreatsandtakeactiontoaddressthem,notignorethem.Thisapproachistypicaloffederalstatutescallingforregulationstoachievespecifiedgoalslikecleanairandcleanwater.Ascircumstanceschanges,achievingthosegoalscanrequiretacklingnewproblemsandtakingadditionalmeasures.

Unfortunately,bythetimeaproblemisfullymanifest,itisoftentoolatetopreventsubstantialharm.Forthisreason,publichealthandsafetystatutesoftenembodya“precautionaryprinciple”authorizingagenciestoaddressnotonlyharmswhicharealreadypresentbutthosewhichscientificevidenceindicatesarelikelytooccur.

SECTION2:HOWISAREGULATIONMADE–ORUNMADE?

Thissectionoftheguidebrieflyexplainshowaruleismade,changedorrepealed.Linksattheendofthisguideprovidemoreinformationontherulemakingprocess.

Firstlet’srememberwhyregulationsmatter.Congressmakesthelaws,butmanylawsrelyonagenciestofigureoutthenutsandboltsofhowtoachievethelaw’sobjectives.Agenciesissueregulationsthatoftendefineexactlywhatisrequired,whomustfollowtherules,andhowcomplianceisdetermined.Manylawshavelittleornopracticaleffectuntilimplementedbyregulations.Inthosecases,regulationsdeterminehoweffectivethelawisinpractice.

Agenciesdon’thaveafreehandinmakingorrollingbackregulations.Theymustcomplywiththelawsauthorizingtheregulationandgoverningtherulemakingprocess.PresidentialorderstellthemtoconsidercostsandotherimpactsandgivetheWhiteHouseandotheragenciesachancetoreviewdraftregulationsbeforethepublicseesaproposedrule.Overtheyears,agencieshavealsodevelopedrulemakingpracticesbeyondwhatisrequired,providinglongerperiodsforpubliccomment,additionalopportunitiesforpublicinput,andpublicaccesstotop


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officials’calendars,topromotetransparency,inclusivenessandresponsiveness.Foragencies,rulemakingistypicallyalongandarduousprocess.Fortherestofus,itprovidesmuchoftheinformationweneedtounderstandwhat’satstakeandopportunitiestotellagencieswherethey’vegonerightorwrong–inotherwords,whatmatterstous!

Unfortunately,earlyindicationsarethattheTrumpAdministrationislookingforandtakingshortcutstorollbackrulesquicklyandwithlittlepublicinput.Oneshortcutissimplydelayingthedatewhenaruleoritsrequirementstakeeffect.Thelongerthedelay,thelongerittakesfortherule’sprotectionstokickin.Undersomelimitedcircumstances,anagencymaybeabletounilaterallypostponetherule’seffectivedateorcompliancedatesforalimitedperiodoftime,butasageneralmatteranagencymustgothroughrulemakingtoextendthem.AfederalcourthasalreadystruckdownanattemptbytheTrumpEPAtoindefinitelydelayarulewithoutfirstgoingthroughrulemakingtochangetherule.

AnothershortcutattemptedbytheTrumpAdministrationisrepealingarulewithoutreplacingit,onthepretextthattheagencyisstillthinkingabouthowtheruleshouldbereplaced.Itmakesnosensetotakeawaypublicprotectionsbeforesomethingasgoodorbetterisreadytotaketheirplace.Repealwithoutreplacementriskspermanentlossofprotections.

LEGALREQUIREMENTSFORTHECONTENTOFREGULATIONS

AgenciesmustfollowCongress’directionsinmaking,orunmaking,aregulation.Congresstypicallytellsanagencywhenorunderwhatcircumstancesaregulationshouldbewritten,whatitshouldaccomplish,andwhattheagencyshouldconsiderincraftingit.Iftheagencydoesn’tfollowCongress’directions,itsdecisionscanbeoverturnedbyacourt.Whatdoesthismeanforarulemakingtorepealorwaterdownarule?Theagencycan’trepealarulethatCongresshasrequired,anditcan’tweakenaruleinawaythatviolatestheunderlyingstatute.

Agenciesmustalsodoalotofhomeworktomake,orunmake,aregulation.Federallawrequiresanagencytocollectandanalyzescientific,technical,economicandotherinformationrelevanttotherule,andmakedecisionsthatmakesenseinlightofthatinformation.Ifanagencyfailstodoeither,itsdecisionscanbeoverturnedbyacourt.Whatdoesthismeanforarulemakingtorepealorwaterdownarule?Anagencycan’tjustsaythatitchangeditsmind–itmustshowthatitsnewpositionisconsistentwiththeavailableinformationaswellaswiththelawauthorizingorrequiringtherule.

Agenciesmustalsocomplywithseveralbroadlyapplicablefederallawsthattellagenciestocraftregulationsinwaysthatminimizepaperworkiiiandreduceburdenonsmallbusinesses,ivstatesandlocalgovernments.vAgenciesmustalsoobeypresidentiallyissuedexecutiveorders


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toanalyzeadraftregulation’scostsandvariousotherimpacts.viTheseanalyses,whicharepubliclyavailable,canprovideusefulinformationfortestinganagency’sreasonsforweakeningorrepealingarule.

OnetactictowatchoutforistheTrumpAdministrationchangingcost-benefitanalyses.InproposingtorescindEPA’sWatersoftheUSrule,theAdministrationchangedthecost-benefitanalysisthathadshowntherule’sbenefitssignificantlyexceedingitscosts.Byremovingsomebenefits(e.g.,wetlandsprotection)fromtheequation,theyarehidingthefactthatrescindingtherulewouldresultinanetlossforthepublic.Pointingoutthiskindofflaweddecision-makingcanbereallyhelpfulincommentsonarulemaking.

LEGALREQUIREMENTSFORTHEPROCESSOFMAKINGREGULATIONS

Agenciesgenerallymustfollowafewbasicstepstomake,orunmake,aregulation.Theseprocessstepsgiveeveryoneofusachancetolearnaboutaregulation,tellagencieswhatwethinkaboutit,andmakeagenciesconsiderandrespondtoourviews.

PROPOSINGAREGULATION:Withfewexceptions,anagencymustgivethepublicanopportunitytocommentonaproposedregulation,oraproposaltochangeorrepealanexistingregulation,beforetheagencymakesafinaldecision.Toaccomplishthis,theagencyissuesa“noticeofproposedrulemaking”intheFederalRegister,theofficialjournalofthefederalgovernmentandaccessibleonlineathttps://www.federalregister.gov.Theagencymayalsopostthenoticeoralinktothenoticeonitsownwebsite.

Anoticeofproposedrulemakingis–orshouldbe–agoldmineofinformation.Theagencyisrequiredtodescribewhatactionisbeingproposed,andexplainhow,initsopinion,theproposedactionisconsistentwiththerelevantfactsandlaw.Theagencymustalsodescribethefactualbasisforitsproposedaction.Withafewexceptionstoprotectconfidentialinformation,alltheinformationusedbytheagencyshouldbeavailableforpublicreviewinanelectronicdocketaccessiblethroughtheInternet.

ThereareseveralwaystofindanoticeofproposedrulemakingintheFederalRegister:

• Ifyouhavetherulemakingdocketnumber,gotohttps://www.regulations.gov/,typethedocketnumberintothe“search”field,andlookforthenoticeinthesearchresults.

• UseanInternetsearchenginetosearchforawebpagediscussingtheproposedruleontheagency’swebsite.ThatwebpagetypicallywillincludealinktoaPDFfilecontainingtheFederalNotice.


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• GototheFederalRegisterwebsite--https://www.federalregister.gov.Theadvancedsearchengineonthesiteletsyounarrowyoursearchtorelevantdocumentsbyselectingthetypeofdocument(e.g.,proposedrule),theagency,thetimeperiod,etc.

TheFederalRegisternoticeprovidestheelectronicdocketnumberfortherule.Thedocketcanbeaccessedonlinebygoingtohttp://www.regulations.gov/,typingthedocketnumberintothe“search”field,andclickingon“search.”

ASKINGFORPUBLICCOMMENT:Aspartofthenoticeofproposedrulemaking,theagencyletsthepublicknowwhen,howandwheretosubmitcomments.Agenciesgenerallymustgivethepublicatleast30daysfromthedatetheproposalispublishedintheFederalRegistertocomment.Underverylimitedcircumstances,agenciescanshortenthetimeforpubliccomment.EarlyindicationssuggesttheTrumpAdministrationmayattimesabuseormisusethisauthoritytoseverelycutbackonthepublic’sopportunitytoopposearule’sdelayorrepeal.

Insomecases,anagencyalsoholdsapublichearingwhereanyonecanmakeremarks.Thenoticeofproposedrulemakingusuallyprovidesthedateandlocationofanypublichearing.Sometimesanagencyholdsapublichearingonlyifoneisrequested,anditdescribesinthenoticewhenandhowtosubmitarequest.Anyoneisentitledtorequestahearing.

Allwrittencommentsandpublichearingstatementsareincludedinthedocketfortherulemaking,whichisusuallyavailableonline.Anyonecanaccessthedocketandreadwhathasbeensubmitted,andifthecommentperiodisstillopen,submitcommentsthatrespondtoothercomments,ifdesired(forexample,tocorrectmistakesorrebutarguments).Thedocketfortherulemakingbecomesthe“administrativerecord”onwhichtheagencymustbaseitsdecisionanddefenditincourtshouldthefinalregulationbechallenged.

Althoughnotrequired,agenciesmayprovideotheropportunitiesformembersofthepublictotellthemwhattheythinkaboutaproposedrule.Representativesofbusinesses,environmentaladvocacyorotherinterestgroupsoftenasktomeetwithagencyofficials,andtheirrequestsforameetingareoftengranted.Whenagencyofficialsmeetwithrepresentativesorothermembersofthepublic,theymustdocumentthedateofthemeeting,whoattended,andtheviewsthatwereairedinamemorandumorothersubmissiontothedocketfortherule.Thisensuresthatallcommentsmadetoanagencyareinthepublicrulemakingrecord.

ISSUINGAFINALFULE:Theagencymustconsiderallthepubliccommentsitreceivesinmakingfinaldecisionsaboutarule,andrespondtoallsignificantcommentsinissuingitsfinalrule.


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Significantcommentsarethosethatmakesubstantivepoints,suchasprovidingnewinformationormakingargumentsforhowandwhytheproposalshouldbechanged.

Oncetheagencyhasdecidedonafinalrule,itissuesanoticeofafinalruleintheFederalRegister.Thenoticemustincludeanexplanationofanychangesmadefromtheproposedruleinthefinalruleandtheagency’sresponsestoallsignificantcomments.InadditiontotheFederalRegisternotice,theagencymaypreparevarioustechnicalandotherdocumentstoexplainandsupportitsdecisionandincludethoseinthedocketfortherule.

OTHERAGENCIESCANCOMMENTANDTHEWHITEHOUSEHASALOTOFSWAY

Foragencies,therulemakingstepsdescribedaboveareonlypartoftheprocess.Executiveordersaddtworoundsof“interagencyreview”sothatWhiteHouseandotherfederalagencyofficialshaveachancetolookatmajordraftproposedrulesanddraftfinalrulesbeforetheygopublic.viiImportantgoalsof“interagencyreview”arecoordinationoffederalagencyactionsandconsistencyofthoseactionswiththePresident’spolicies,totheextentpermittedbylaw.

Thepublicdoesnothaveadefinedroleintheinteragencyreviewprocess,butexperiencedstakeholdersknowtheycanasktomeetwithWhiteHouseofficialsaboutaruleininteragencyreview.TheOfficeofInformationandRegulatoryAffairs(OIRA)intheWhiteHouseOfficeofManagementandBudgetisthegatekeeperoftheinteragencyreviewprocess.OIRAusuallymeetswithoutsidegroupsuponrequestandkeepsapubliclogofthosemeetings.Thatlogisaccessibleonlineathttps://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eom12866Search.OIRAofficialsgenerallydon’tengageindiscussionsabouttherule,buttheydolisten.

GettingOIRA’searcanbeuseful.Asastrictlylegalmatter,WhiteHouseofficials,includingthePresident,arenotauthorizedbymostlawstomakedecisionsaboutrules.ButtheagencyheadswhoareauthorizedtomakethesedecisionsworkforthePresident.OIRAandotherWhiteHouseofficialsareoftenimportantadvisorstothePresident,sotheycanhaveconsiderableclout.Moreover,OIRAcontrolswhentheinteragencyreviewprocessbeginsandends.ThataddstotheswaythattheWhiteHousehasovertherule’soutcome.

SECTION3:HOWCANYOUADDYOURVOICETOTHERULEMAKINGPROCESS?

Aswe’vedescribed,thefederalrulemakingprocessprovidesopportunitiesforthepublictoweighinwhilearuleisbeingmade,unmadeordelayed.Inthissection,weoffersuggestionsonhowtomakeyourparticipationinthatprocessmoreeffective.Inthenextsection,we


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suggesttacticsoutsidetherulemakingprocessforopposingtheTrumpAdministration'sde-regulatoryagenda.

It’sworthsayingagain–yourvoicecounts.It’simportanttotelltheagencyandotherdecision-makerswhatyoubelieveaboutaregulatoryrollback.Wecan’tbesilentandletnarrowinterestgroupscarrythedayuncontested.Weallhaveastakeintheprotectionsunderattack.Andthemoreofusthatcomment,themorewemakeclearthattherearepoliticalconsequencesfortakingawayourprotections.

It’salsoworthsayingthatnoregulationisperfect.InurgingresistancetotheTrumpAdministration’sde-regulatoryagenda,wearenotsayingthatregulationsshouldremainexactlyastheyareforever.ButtheTrumpAdministrationhasshownnointerestinmakingregulationsmoreeffectiveormoreefficient.Theywantthetargetedregulationsgoneorsignificantlywatereddown.Thisguiderecommendsthatweparticipateinde-regulatoryrulemakingstoshowsupportfortheimportantpublicprotectionsunderattackandtoopposesacrificingtheseprotectionsinsteadofbuildingonthem.

AVENUESFORCOMMENTINGONAPROPOSEDRULE

COMMENTPERIODSANDPUBLICHEARINGS

Exceptinrarecircumstances,anagencyprovidesapubliccommentperiodonaproposedruleduringwhichanyonecansubmitcomments.Duringthepubliccommentperiod,theagencymayalsoholdoneormorepublichearingsatwhichanyonecanmakeastatement.

Theseareimportantopportunitiesforbeingheard.Agenciesarelookingforinformationabouttheproblemtheirproposedruleissupposedtosolve,howwelltheproposedrulesolvestheproblem,andwhethertheproposedrulecanbeimproved.Theyalsopaycloseattentiontoargumentsaboutwhethertheproposedrulecomplieswiththelaw.Asweexplainbelow,yourcommentscancontributetoanagency’sunderstandingoftheproblembeingaddressedandthesolutionsbeingproposed.Whileagenciesdon’tmakedecisionsaboutafinalrulebasedonhowmanypeoplecommentonewayoranother,thenumberofcommenterssupportingarule(oropposingarollbackofarule)doessendanimportantsignalaboutthelevelofpublicconcernandsupportforaspecificdirection.

Yougenerallyhavemorethan30daystoprepareandsubmitcomments.Mostagenciespostaproposedruleontheirwebsitethedayitissigned.TheofficialcommentperiodbeginsonthedatetheproposalispublishedintheFederalRegister,whichoftenoccursseveraldaysoreven


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weeksaftertheproposalissigned.Bytakingadvantageofthewebpostingoftheproposedrule,youcanbuyyourselfadditionaltimeforcommenting.

Submittingcommentsiseasytodo.Nearthefrontofeverynoticeofproposedrulemakingisasectioncommonlytitled“Dates”withinformationaboutwhen,howandwheretosubmityourcomments.Mostagenciesletyousubmitcommentselectronically.Onceyoufindyourwaytothewebaddressforanagencyrulemaking(seepages9-10andSection5forhelpfindingthataddress),submittingcommentscanbejustafewclicksaway.

Makingastatementatapublichearingisalsovaluable.Whenmembersofthegeneralpublicshowupforahearing,itsendsanotherimportantsignaltotheagencyaboutthelevelofpublicconcern.Ahearingisalsoanopportunitytospeakdirectlytoagencyrepresentatives,includingmanagersandstaffwhoaredevelopingtherule.Ahearingcanbearallyingpointforgrassrootseffortsandanopportunitytogetpressorotherpublicattention.Thesame“Dates”sectionofthenoticeindicateswhereandwhenanyhearing(s)willbeheldorhowahearingcanberequested.Ifahearingtorollbackaregulationisbeingheldnearyou,makingastatementinsupportoftheruleandtheprotectionsitprovidesistimewellspent.

TIPSFOREFFECTIVELYCOMMUNICATINGYOURVIEWS

Youhavethepowertomakeanagencyconsideryourviewsbysubmittingacommentormakingahearingstatementorboth.Everycommentsubmittedduringapubliccommentperiodormadeaspartofapublichearingstatementbecomespartoftherecordfortherulebeingmadeorunmade.Bylaw,theagencymustconsidereverycomment,respondtoallsignificantcomments,andbaseitsfinaldecisionsonthefullrulemakingrecord.

Iftheagencyfailstorespondtoagoodpointyou’vemade—forexample,awell-supportedargumentagainstrollingbackarule—thefinalrulemaybevulnerabletoalawsuitbyyouorsomeoneelse,suchasapublicinterestgroup.Acourtcouldrequiretheagencytoconsideryourpointanddeterminewhethertochangetherule,andifthepointiscentralenoughtotherule,thecourtmightevenstrikedown(vacate)therule.Sincetheagencyisrequiredtorespondtosignificantcommentswhenitissuestherule,you(andothers)willbeabletoassesswhethertheagencyhasadequatelyrespondedtoyourcomments.

Herearegoodrulesofthumbforcommunicatingyourviewssothattheirvalueisclear.Agencystaffreadallthepubliccommentsandareresponsibleforcommunicatingthemupthechainandrespondingtothem.Youwanttheagencytopayattentiontowhatyouhavetosay.


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Explainwhyyou’recommenting–Saywhyyoucareabouttheregulationunderattack.Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowisaffectedbytheactivitybeingregulated(forexample,youoryourchildhasasthmaandareharmedbythepollutionbeingreleased),explainthat.Includeanypersonalanecdotesthatyou’rewillingtoshare.Tellingtheagencythatyouhaveapersonalstakeintherulehelpsbringhometheneedfortheruleandraisesthepoliticalstakesofrollingitback.Youraccountofhowtheregulatedactivityaffectsyoumayalsohelpprovidealegalbasisforalawsuitchallenginganagencydecisiontodelay,repealorweakentherule.

Ifyouhaveexpertise,sayso–Youdon’thavetobeanexperttomakeavalidandvaluablecomment,butifyouhaveexpertiserelevanttotheregulation(forexample,inhealthorchildcare,socialwork,safety,sanitation,teaching,banking,construction,law,oreconomics)orprofessionalexperience(forexample,youareafarmerandtheregulationwillaffectyourfarm),lettheagencyknowthat.Acommentthatdrawsonyourexpertisewillhavethatmuchmorecredibility.

Provideanyinformationyouhave–Ifyouhaveinformationrelevanttotherulemaking,includeitandhighlightit.MostEPArules,forexample,mustbebasedonscientificandtechnicalinformation;theyaren’tjustexpressionsofpolicypreferences.Agencystaffareonthelookoutfornewinformationandifyouprovideusefulinformation,yourcommentwillmoresurelygetontheirradarscreens.Examplesofnewinformationmightinclude:

o Newsreportsabouteventsinyourcommunitythatrelatetotheregulation(forexample,dependingontheregulation,anunusualnumberofcancercases,accidentsataworkplace,apollutionspillorrelease).

o Otheranecdotalinformationthathasbearingontheneedfortheruleoritsstringencyorapproach,especiallyifitcanbetiedtoinformationshowingabroaderpublicimpact.Itiseasyforanagencytodownplayindividualanecdotesbutmuchhardertoignoreinformationindicatingbroaderimpactsonthepublic.

o Science,safetyorotherrelevantreportsorstudiesthattheagencyhasn’tconsideredintherulemaking,orinterpretationsofreportsorstudiesthattheagencyisignoringoroverlooking.

o Economicand/orengineeringinformationthataffectsthefeasibility,costs,orbenefitsoftheproposaloralternatives.

Beconstructive–Ifthenoticeproposingtowaterdownorrepealarulesaysthere’ssomethingwrongwiththerule,considerexplainingwhyit’snotaproblemorhowtheproblemmightbeaddressedwithoutsacrificingthepublicprotectionprovidedbytherule.


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Forexample,ifthestatedrationaleforderegulatingistosavejobsinanindustry,youmightsuggestjobtrainingoreconomicdevelopmentassistanceforthecommunitiesthathavealotofworkersinthatindustry.Whiletheagencymaynotbeabletoprovidethatassistanceitself,itmaybeabletoenlistotheragenciesthatcanoraskCongressforhelp.

Becivil–Howyoupresentyourselfandphraseyourcommentsmatters.Rude,discourteouscommentsandbehaviorreflectnegativelyonthecommenterandhisorhercause.

Don’twritealotiflesswilldo–Longercommentsarenotnecessarilybetterormoreeffectivethanshortones.What’simportantistoclearlysaywhatyouwanttosayandexplainorsupportanyclaimsyoumake.

Sticktowhatyouknow–Youdonotneedtocommentoneverythingintheproposal.Agenciesoftenrequestcommentonvariousissues,andthoserequestscansignalthattheagencyneedsmoreinformationaboutthoseissuesorisstillmullinghowtoaddressthem.Youshouldfocusyourcommentsonwhatyouknowandwhatconcernsyouthemost.

Meetdeadlines–

o Forwrittencomments,makesureyousubmitthembeforethedeadlinelistedintherulemakingnotice.Commentperiodscloseat11:59ESTonthedatecommentsaredue–don’tcutitclose.Ifyourcommentsarelate,theagencymaychoosetoconsiderthembutisnotobligedtodoso.

o Forapublichearing,knowyourtimelimitandmakesureyourremarkswillfityourallottedtime.Hearingstaffarelikelytostopyouatthetimelimitorshortlythereafter.Thetimelimit(forexample,5or10minutesperperson)isoftenannouncedintheFederalRegisternoticefortherulemaking.Whilethetimeforyouroralstatementislimited,youcanpreparealongerwrittenstatementandhavethatincludedintherulemakingrecord.

Theguideslistedintheappendixhaveadditionaltipsonpublicparticipationinrulemakingandadditionalinformationontherulemakingprocess.

MEETINGSANDPHONECALLS

Lessusualbutpotentiallypotentavenuesformakingyourvoiceheardarecallingormeetingwithofficialsintheagencyand/ortheWhiteHouseOfficeofManagementandBudget(OMB).Experiencedstakeholdersmakeliberaluseoftheseavenues.Representativesofpotentially


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affectedbusinessesandotherwell-establishedgroupsoftenaskformeetingswithdecision-makersandgetthem.Theyalsocallofficialsandsometimestheircallsaretaken.Meetingsandphonecallsthattakeplaceduringtherulemakingaresupposedtobeontherecord,meaningtheagencyisobligedtowriteamemorandumaboutanymeetingorcallandputitintherulemakingdocket.

Individualmembersofthepublicareunlikelytogetameetingorphonecallwithtopofficials,butthatshouldn’tstopyoufromasking.Contactinformationforagencyofficialsisgenerallyavailableontheagency’swebsite.ToaskforameetingorphonecallwithofficialsatOMB’sOfficeofInformationandRegulatoryAffairs,[email protected].

YoumaybeabletoincreaseyourchancesofmeetingorspeakingwithagencyorWhiteHouseofficialsbyaskingyourmembersofCongress(yourstate’stwosenatorsandyourcongressionaldistrict’smemberintheHouseofRepresentatives)forhelp.AprimaryjobofyourmembersofCongress(MoCs)istohelpconstituentsnavigatethebureaucracy.Businessesaskforthiskindofhelpandsocanyou.InvolvingMoCsalsoalertsthemtotheruleandyourconcernsaboutit.YoucanusetheoccasiontoaskyourMoCstoraisesimilarconcernswithagencyofficialsthemselves.TheIndivisibleGuideprovidesadviceforhowtocontactyourMoCsandgetthemtolisten.

Anotheroptionistocallthecontactpersonfortherule.Thatperson’sname,numberandemailaddressisprovidedinthe“Contact”sectionofthenoticeofproposedrulemaking.Thecontactpersonisgenerallyastaffpersonwhoisveryfamiliarwiththerulemaking.Youcanaskthecontactpersonquestions,tellthemwhatyouthink,andaskforameetingorphonecallwithagencymanagersorstaff.Ameetingorcallcanbeagoodwayofcollectinginformationthatyoucanuseinyourcomments.

Meetingsandphonecallsarenotsubstitutesforpubliccommentsbuttheycanbeagoodwayofshowinghowmuchyou(andothers)care.Evenifyoudon’tgetameetingorphonecall,theagencywillregisterthatyouasked.

AMPLIFYINGYOURCOMMENTS

Thereispoliticalpowerinnumbers.Themorepeopleyouenlisttopushbackoneffortstodelay,weakenorrepealpublicprotections,thestrongerthesignalyousendthatthereisapoliticalpricetobepaidbythosetakingorsupportingsuchactions.EnlistingyourMoCs,stateandlocalofficials,andotherswithpoliticalcloutcanalsoaddtothepoliticalcloutofyourviews.Hereareseveraleffectivestrategiesforamplifyingyourcomments:


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• Askotherpeopleyouknowandwhoseopinionsyousharetosignyourcomment,ortosendtheirowncomments.Letpeopleknowaboutthisguidesotheycanmaketheircommentsmoreeffective.

• Ifyou’reamemberofagroupthatsharesyourview(aneighborhoodassociation,professionalassociation,orreligiousgroup,forexample),seeifthegroupwouldalsoliketocomment.

• Ifyouhaveaninterestingorcompellingstorytotell,contactarelevantpublicinterestgroup–youcouldbeoneofthereal-worldexamplesthey’dliketoshowcaseintheircomments.

• YoumaybeabletoaddpoliticalhefttoyourcommentsbyaskingyourmembersofCongresstocommentand/ormakeapublicstatementalongthesamelinesasyourcomments.AgenciespaycloseattentiontowhatmembersofCongresssay,particularlywhenthememberholdspositionsoncommitteesorinleadershipthatgivethemmorecloutwiththeagency.UsetheIndivisibleguideforhowtomakeCongress–includingyourmembers–listen.

• Similarly,youmaybeabletoenlistotherelectedofficials(e.g.,mayors),formeragencyofficialsorcelebritiestosubmitcommentsormakestatements.OtherelectedofficialsarelikelytobesusceptibletosomeofthetacticsintheIndivisibleguide,whileyouorotherpeopleyouknowmaybeabletoreachouttocurrentorformerluminarieswhocanaddtheirexpertiseandstaturetocommentsagainstde-regulatoryactions.

SECTION4:HOWCANYOUHELPCREATEPUBLICOUTCRYOUTSIDETHERULEMAKINGPROCESS?

TheTrumpAdministrationhassofarshownaresistancetofactsandreason,sothechancethatpubliccommentsalonewillchangetheirmindsisnotgreat.Politicalactivismcanmobilizeandenergizeoppositiontoade-regulatoryaction.SeveraltacticsthatareoflimitedvalueinanormalrulemakingmaybeamongthemosteffectivetoolsforfightingPresidentTrump'sde-regulatoryactions.

Useofsocialmediacanhelpgeneratethepublicoutcryade-regulatoryactiondeserves.Facebook,Twitterandotherplatformsaregoodtoolsforgettingoutwordthataruleisbeingrolledback,andtoexplainwhatisatstake.Usethistacticliberally.

Conventionalmediacanbehelpful,too.Ifyouhaveapersonalstorythatrelatestotheregulation,youmightwanttocontactyourlocalpressandletthemknowyourstory.Opedsandletterstotheeditorareothergoodwaystogetthewordout.Itisnoteasy


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togetapublicationtopublishanopedorevenalettertotheeditor,butifyouhaveacompellingpersonalstoryorrelevantexpertise,orifyourepresentagroup,anewspaperornewslettermaybemorelikelytopublishwhatyouwrite.Ifnot,youmightconsiderencouragingsomeonetowritewhomaybebetterabletogetanopedorlettertotheeditorpublished.

Demonstrationshelpraiseawareness,buildcommunityandenthusiasm,andspreadyourmessage.Politicalleaderspayattentionaswell–especiallyifthedemonstrationgetspresscoverage.

Massletter-writingcampaignsareanothermethodforcommunicatingpublicoutcry.Oftenaninterestgrouptellsyouto“clickhere”andtheywillsend“yourcomment”totherule-writingagencyortheWhiteHouse.Ascommentsonarule,thesecampaignshavelimitedifanyeffect.Section3explainshowtomakeyourcommentsmoreeffectivethanamassletter-writingcampaign.However,thesecampaignscanbeimportanttoolsforresistingde-regulatoryefforts.Theyhelpinformlike-mindedpeopleanddrawthemintoyourcause,andgeneratepresscoveragethatcanhelpputpressureongovernmentdecision-makers.

EnlistingyourmembersofCongressinresistanceeffortsoutsidetherulemakingprocesshasthepotentialtobepotentforthereasonsmentionedabove.TheIndivisibleGuide,asalsonotedabove,hasawealthofsuggestionsonhowtomakeyourmembersofCongresslistentoyourviewsandactonthem.Eveniftheydon’ttaketheactionyourequest,youwillhaveputthemonnoticethattheymayfacetoughquestionsorcriticismwhentheyrunforre-election.

Enlistingotherofficialsandcelebritiesforcampaignsoutsidetherulemakingprocesscandrawalotofattentiontotheneedforresistingde-regulatoryefforts.

SECTION5:NUTSANDBOLTS

SohowdoyoufindoutwhichrulestheTrumpAdministrationisrollingbackordelaying?Howdoyoufindtheproposedde-regulatoryactionandthedatesforthecommentperiod?Fortunately,severalorganizationsaretrackingmanyoftheactionsbeingtaken,andsomeprovidelinkstotheFederalRegisterwebsitewheretherulemakingnoticesareposted.Thosenoticesprovidecommentperiodandhearingdatesaswellasinformationabouthowtosubmitcommentselectronicallyorbymail.


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Wehopetoprovidea“bridging”linksoonthatwillprovideone-stop-shoppingforlearningwhatactionsareopenforpubliccommentandforprovidinglinkstoorganizationsthataretrackingand/orfightingthoseactions.Inthemeantime,hereisinformationabouttheexistingtrackersandhowtousethem:

• TheWashingtonPosthasatrackerforallde-regulatoryactionsbeingtakenbytheTrumpAdministration.It’savailablebyclickingtrump-rolling-back-obama-rules.ThetrackerisupdatedperiodicallyandusesWashingtonPostarticlesassourcematerial.ItdoesnotincludelinkstorelevantagencywebsitesortoFederalRegisternotices,butitdoesprovideinformationthatcouldbeusedtofindbothofthosethingsusinganInternetsearchengine.

• TheSabinCenterforClimateChangeLawatColumbiaLawSchoolistrackingallclimatechange-relatedde-regulatoryactions.Itstrackerisavailableathttp://columbiaclimatelaw.com/resources/climate-deregulation-tracker/,anddoesprovidelinkstoFederalRegisternoticesofactionsastheyareposted.

• HarvardLawSchool’sEnvironmentalLawProgramisalsopreparingadetailedtrackerofde-regulatoryactionsaffectingenvironment,energy,publiclandsandnaturalresourcesprograms,aswellasrelatedguidancefromOMBandtheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality.Itplanstomakeitstrackerpubliclyavailableonlinesoon.Wewillupdatethisguidewithitswebaddresswhenitisavailable.

Youcanalsotrackactionsyourself.Youcanstartbycheckinganagency’swebsiteforinformationonwhatrulesarebeing“reviewed”andwhenyoucancommentonthem.Oftentherewillbeapressreleasewhenaproposalisissued,andmostagencywebsitesmakeiteasytofindpressreleases.YoucanalsouseanInternetsearchenginetofindtheagencyandregulationofinterest.OftenInternetsearchenginesworkbetterthanthesearchenginesonagencies’websites,sadtosay.Ifyoudon’tknowexactlywhatrulemakingyouarelookingforbutwanttoseewhatanagencyisdoingtorulesbytopic,Internetsearchenginescanbehelpful.

Agenciestypicallyhaveapagethatlistsproposedrulesthatareopenforcomment,andsomeagenciesalsooffernotificationsthatcanhelpyoutrackrulesunderdevelopmentorexistingrulesbeingreviewed.SeeendnoteviiiforhyperlinkstorelevantpagesfortheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,theHealthandHumanServicesDepartment,theOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration,andtheSecuritiesandExchangeCommission.

Anotheroptionistocheckthewebsiteoforjoinpublicinterestgroupsinyourareasofinterest(forexample,consumerproductsafety,environmentalprotection)thatfollowagencyactionsinthoseareas.Thegroupscandothemonitoringforyou.Youcanselectafewpriorityruleson


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whichtofocus.Manygroupsprovidetheirmemberswithactionalertsformajorregulatoryactions.Actionalertsprovideyouwithaheads-upwhenthegroupmobilizestoinfluencetherulesthataretheinterestgroup’spriority.Often,theyprovideonlineformswithsamplelanguage,makingiteasyforyoutosubmitcommentsandbeheard.PleaseseeSection3onhowyoucanmakeyourcommentsmoreeffectivethanjustastandardizedortemplatecomment.

AnothervaluableresourceistheFederalRegisterwebsite,http://www.federalregister.gov/.Therearedifferentwaystousethesite–

• Asimpleoptionistoclick“browse”andselectanagencyofinterest.Theagencypageincludes,amongotherthings,alistofrecentsignificantactions,startingwiththemostrecent.

• TheagencypagealsoallowsyoutosubscribeviaemailorRSSfeedstoreceivenotificationofnewFederalRegisternoticesfromthatagency.Toreducethenumberofnotifications,pickthe“significantactions”option.

• AlsoontheFederalRegisterwebsite,the“sections”iconenablesyoutoseealistandbriefdescriptionofrecentlypublishedFederalRegisternoticeswithincertainareasofinterest–environment,healthandpublicwelfare,world,money,andscienceandtechnology.Withineachcategory,youcanclickonspecificsubtopics(e.g.,endangeredspecies)toseenoticesonthatsubtopic,startingwiththemostrecent.

• TheadvancedsearchengineontheFederalRegister.govletsyounarrowyoursearchtorelevantdocumentsbyselectingthetypeofdocument(e.g.,proposedrule),theagency,thetimeperiod,etc.

• ThePublicInspectionwebpageonFederalRegister.govgivesthepublicaccesstocertainimportantorcomplexdocumentsbeforetheypublishintheFederalRegister.

CONCLUSION

AlthoughtheTrumpAdministrationhasencounteredproblemsadvancingitsagendainCongress,ithasmorecontroloverfederalregulations,anditismovingquicklytorollbackordelayimportantpublicprotections.Ifwedon’tresist,wecouldlosethoseprotections.Asindividualsandtogetherwithfriends,familymembers,colleaguesandothers,weneedtomakeclearwhytheprotectionsareimportanttousandwhyourmembersofCongressshouldcareandpushback.Wecan’tjustcomplainaboutPresidentTrump’spolicies,weneedtofightthem.Pleaseusethisguidetodojustthat–andit’sgoodtherapy!Here’saquicksummaryofwhatyoucandotohelppushbackontheTrumpAdministration’sregulatoryrollback:


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• Participateinrulemakingstorollbackordelayprotections:

o Commentontheproposedrulechange

o Testifyatpublichearingsifthereareanyclosetoyou

o Requestmeetingsorphonecallswithagencystaff,managersand/orWhiteHouseofficials

• Alsousetacticsoutsidetherulemakingprocesstoincreasethepoliticalstakesofderegulation:

o EnlistyourmembersofCongress

o Usesocialandmainstreammediacampaigns

o Participateinmassletter-writingcampaign

o Stageorparticipateindemonstrationsorothergroupactions

• Moregenerally,joininthepublicconversationaboutregulationsandtheprotectionstheyprovide.Ifyouhearorreadsomethingyouknowtobeuntrue,sayorwritesomethingback,remainingcivilbutmakingclearthatthepublicneedsgoodinformationandfairanalysis,notalternativefactsanddiatribes.

APPENDIX:WHATAREOTHERHELPFULMATERIALS?

Listedbelowareotherusefulguidesforparticipatinginrulemakingatthefederallevelandatthestatelevel.Theseguidesdonotfocusonde-regulatoryactions,buttheyprovideadditionaldetailonsometopicsdiscussedinthisguide.

GENERALGUIDESONCITIZENPARTICIPATIONANDTHEFEDERALRULEMAKINGPROCESS

Regulations.gov,“TipsforSubmittingEffectiveComments.”https://www.regulations.gov/docs/Tips_For_Submitting_Effective_Comments.pdf

OfficeoftheFederalRegister,“AGuidetotheRulemakingProcess.”https://www.federalregister.gov/uploads/2011/01/the_rulemaking_process.pdf

DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,“HowtoParticipateintheRulemakingProcess.”https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/regulations/rulemaking-tool-kit.pdf

EnvironmentalLawInstitute,“ACitizen’sGuidetoInfluencingAgencyAction.”http://www.gotofirm.com/content/uploads/2012/11/CitizensGuide.pdf

CenterforEffectiveGovernment,“NoticeandCommentRulemaking.”http://www.foreffectivegov.org/node/3463


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CongressionalResearchService,“TheFederalRulemakingProcess:AnOverview,”MaeveP.Carey,Coordinator,AnalystinGovernmentOrganizationandManagement,June17,2013.https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32240.pdf

SPECIALIZEDCITIZENGUIDES–FEDERALLEVEL

EnvironmentalLawInstitute,“ACitizen’sGuidetoUsingFederalEnvironmentalLawstoSecureEnvironmentalJustice.”https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-04/documents/citizen-guide-ej.pdf

EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,“HowCitizensCanCommentandParticipateintheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActProcess.”https://www.epa.gov/nepa/how-citizens-can-comment-and-participate-national-environmental-policy-act-process

STATEGUIDESFORCITIZENPARTICIPATION(notacomprehensivelist;yourstatemayhaveone,too)

AlabamaDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement,“GuideforCitizenParticipation:Howtomakeyourvoiceheardoncommunityenvironmentalissues.”http://www.adem.alabama.gov/moreInfo/pubs/citizensguide.pdf

IndianaDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement,“Citizens’GuidetoIDEM:AnIntroductiontoIDEM’sProceduresforIssuingEnvironmentalPermits,OverseeingCleanups,PreparingEnvironmentalReportsandPlans,andWritingEnvironmentalRules,”March2014,DraftupdatepreparedforpostingonDecember12,2014.http://www.in.gov/idem/files/citizens_guide.pdf

MichiganDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality,“ACitizen’sGuidetoParticipationinMichigan’sAirPollutionControlProgram,”April2007.http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-caap-citizensguidetomiairpollutioncontrol_195548_7.pdf

OhioEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,“GuidetoRule-making,”November2015.http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/33/rules/guide.pdf

ENDNOTES

ihttps://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/business/environment/florida-reef/?utm_term=.6d8f11b268c5ii Examplesofarticlesandstudiesonjobimpactsofregulation:


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• Hafstead,MarcandRobertonC.WilliamsIII,“HowDoEnvironmentalPoliciesAffect

Employment?”,Resources(ResourcesfortheFuture’sonlinemagazine),Issue190,Fall2015.Seehttp://www.rff.org/research/publications/how-do-environmental-policies-affect-employment

• Semuels,Alana,“DoRegulationsReallyKillJobs?”TheAtlantic,January19,2017.Seehttp://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/01/regulations-jobs/513563/

• Irons,John,andShapiro,Isaac,“Regulation,employmentandtheeconomy:Fearsofjoblossareoverblown,”EconomicPolicyInstitute,PolicyPaper#305,April12,2011.Seehttp://www.epi.org/publication/regulation_employment_and_the_economy_fears_of_job_loss_are_overblown/

• Morgenstern,R.D.,W.A.Pizer,andJ.S.Shih.2002,JobsversustheEnvironment:AnIndustry-LevelPerspective.JournalofEnvironmentalEconomicsandManagement43(3):412-436.Seehttp://www.rff.org/files/sharepoint/WorkImages/Download/RFF-DP-99-01

• Elmendorf,DouglasW.,DirectorofCongressionalBudgetOffice,“PoliciesforIncreasingEconomicGrowthandEmploymentin2012and2013,”TestimonybeforeBudgetCommitteeofU.S.Senate,November15,2011,pp.45-46.Seehttps://www.cbo.gov/publication/42717?index=12437

Forexamplesofjobimpactsofsomeindividualregulations,seeforexample:

• U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,“RegulatoryImpactAnalysisfortheFinalMercuryandAirToxicsStandards,”EPA-452/R-11-011,chapter6,December2011.Seehttps://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-11/documents/matsriafinal.pdf.

• Bivens,Josh,“The‘toxicsrule’andjobs:Thejob-creationpotentialoftheEPA’snewrule

ontoxicpower-plantemissions,”EnvironmentalPolicyInstitute,IssueBrief#325,February7,2012.Seehttp://www.epi.org/publication/ib325-epa-toxics-rule-job-creation/

• U.S.OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration,“OSHAFactSheet–OSHA’sProposedCrystallineSilicaRule:Overview,”August2013.Seehttps://www.osha.gov/silica/factsheets/OSHA_FS-3683_Silica_Overview.html

• U.S.DepartmentofLabor,“FactSheet:FinalRuletoUpdatetheRegulationsDefiningDelimitingtheExemptionforExecutive,Administrative,andProfessionalEmployees,”May2016.Seehttps://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime/final2016/overtime-factsheet.htm

iiiPaperworkReductionAct.


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ivRegulatoryFlexibilityActasAmendedbytheSmallBusinessRegulatoryEnforcementFairnessActof1996,5U.S.C.601etseq.vUnfundedMandatesReformActof1995.viE.g.,E.O.12866,RegulatoryPlanningandReview;E.O13563,ImprovingRegulationandRegulatoryReview;E.O.13132,Federalism;E.O.13175,ConsultationandCoordinationwithIndianTribalGovernments;E.O.13045,ProtectionofChildrenFromEnvironmentalHealthRisksandSafetyRisks;E.O.13211,ActionsConcerningRegulationsThatSignificantlyAffectEnergySupply,Distribution,orUse;E.O.12898:FederalActionstoAddressEnvironmentalJusticeinMinorityPopulationsandLow-IncomePopulations.viiExecutiveOrder12866,whichgovernsinteragencyreview,providesforsometransparency.ItrequiresOIRAtoplaceinapublicdocketanywrittencommentsreceivedfromotheragenciesduringtheinteragencyreviewprocess.ItalsorequiresagenciestoidentifyforthepublicallthechangesmadetoaproposedorfinalrulethatweremadeatthesuggestionorrecommendationofOIRA.Somestatutesaddfurthertransparencyrequirements.InthecaseoftheCleanAirAct,forexample,thedraftrulessubmittedforinteragencyreviewandwrittencommentsfromOIRAandotheragenciesmustbesubmittedtothedocketfortherulemaking.viii Linkstosomeagencywebpagesforfindingrulesopenforcomment:

• TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hasapageadvisingthepublichowtostayabreastofregulatorydevelopments--https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/get-involved-epa-regulations.TheagencysuggestsuseofitsRegulatoryDevelopmentandRetrospectiveReviewTracker(RegDaRRT).Thetrackerprovidesmonthly(andinsomecasesdaily)updatesonEPA’spriorityrulemakingsthatareunderdevelopmentaswellasupdatesonEPA’sretrospectivereviewsofexistingregulationsunderTrumpExecutiveOrder13777anda2011executiveorder.RegDaRRTpostsaprofileonapriorityrulemakingwhenEPAbeginsworkonit,whichissometimesmonthsorevenyearsbeforepublicationofaproposedrule.RegDaRRToffersnotifications(intheformofRSSfeeds)tokeepyouuptodate,andalsolistsupcomingpublicmeetingsrelatedtopriorityrulemakings.Ifaruleisn'tonRegDaRRT,youcanstillgettwiceyearlyupdatesinEPA’sRegulatoryAgenda.

• TheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices(HHS)hasawebpagethatshowsall

currentrulemakingsopenforcomment:https://www.hhs.gov/regulations/comment-on-open-rules/index.html.Anotherpagehasinformationonreviewsofexistingrules:https://www.hhs.gov/open/retrospective-review/index.html?language=en.

• TheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAdministration(OSHA)hasaregulationswebpage

withlinkstorulemakingsopenforcommentandlookbacksatexistingregulations:https://www.osha.gov/law-regs.html.


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• TheSecuritiesandExchangeCommission(SEC)hasapageonhowtocommentthat

includesalinktorulemakingsopenforcomment:https://www.sec.gov/rules/submitcomments.htm.TheSECalsooffersnotifications(intheformofanRSSfeed)ofSECproposedrules:https://www.sec.gov/rss/rules/proposed.xml

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