OIRA Published Fall 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions – Three Drinking Water Rules are Included

The Federal Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has published the Fall Unified Agenda.  EPA’s Office of Water has numerous items on the agenda.  Three are of particular interest to state drinking water programs:  lead and copper revisions; perchlorate; and use of lead-free pipes, fittings, fixtures, solder, and flux for drinking water.

Lead and Copper Rule Revisions:  There is no change to the February 2019 final rule date.  However, this is likely an optimistic promulgation date.

Perchlorate:  There has been no change to the two court-imposed deadlines (10/31/18 and 12/19/2019).  However, EPA has requested a six month extension but the court has not yet ruled on the request.

Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water:  There is no change to the anticipated June 2019 final rule date.

As noted in OIRA’s publication statement, “The Agenda represents ongoing progress toward the goals of more effective and less burdensome regulation. This Fall Agenda update reflects the following broad regulatory reform priorities:

• Advancing Regulatory Reform. In this Fall Agenda, agencies continue to identify ineffective regulations for revision and repeal across a variety of sectors. Consistent with Administration priorities, agencies have proposed actions that streamline infrastructure development, promote emerging technologies, and provide relief for small businesses.
• Public Notice of Regulatory Development. In order to provide timely and accurate notice to the public of upcoming deregulatory and regulatory actions, agencies have targeted actions likely to occur in the next 12 months and have withdrawn or delayed other actions. A clear and accurate Agenda helps avoid unfair surprise and achieves greater predictability of upcoming actions.
• Transparency. In support of the Administration’s commitment to transparency, the Fall Agenda has enhanced search capabilities and functionality. Agencies have also provided consistent and unique identifiers that will allow the public to track regulatory policy from beginning to end.

• Consistent Practice across the Federal Government. The Agenda reflects core Administration priorities for reducing regulatory burdens across administrative agencies, including in the anticipated deregulatory and regulatory actions from the historically independent agencies.”

You may read more about the full Unified Agenda at this link.