Congressman Cohen Requests List of Companies Seeking Clean Air Act Exemptions

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting a list of companies operating in Tennessee's 9^th Congressional District which have requested a Presidential Exemption under the Clean Air Act.

The letter reads in part:

"I am writing to request a comprehensive list of companies that have a headquarters or facility within Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District that have requested a Presidential Exemption under the Clean Air Act, as outlined by the EPA on March 24, 2025.

"Several communities in Memphis, and especially in Southwest Memphis, have long endured the cumulative effects of industrial pollution, resulting in higher rates of respiratory illness, cancer and other chronic health conditions. The potential for companies operating in these areas to obtain exemptions from critical environmental safeguards under the Clean Air Act would further exacerbate these public health disparities and increase the risk of long-term environmental harm.

"In addition to the names of any companies that operate within Tennessee Ninth Congressional District that requested this exemption, please also include the details of their exemption request, including any emissions standards or limitations subject to the request, facility(ies) and/or affected sources, the length of compliance period being requested, any explanation why the technology to implement the standard is not available, and any explanation why an extension is in the national security interests of the United States. Please also include which of these companies, if any, expressed an intention to submit proprietary information.

"I would also like to know how your agency plans to announce which companies are granted a presidential exemption and which applied but were denied. I expect all of this information to be made easily available to the public, as the Trump Administration repeatedly states that it is the 'most transparent administration in history.'

"Given the existing concerns and the pressing need for stronger protections, I believe it is imperative for the community to understand which companies may be seeking to circumvent current regulations."

Congressman Cohen requested that the information be made available by the end of this week.

See the entire letter here.

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