EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Visits Auto Supply Facilities in Southeast Michigan, Advances Key Agency Pillar

EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Visits Auto Supply Facilities in Southeast Michigan, Advances Key Agency Pillar

April 23, 2026

Ann Arbor, Michigan - Earlier this week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi traveled around Southeast Michigan to advance a key pillar of the Trump EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative-protecting and bringing back American auto jobs. Over the course of two days, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi toured vehicle supply facilities and met with Americans directly benefiting from the Trump EPA's deregulatory actions that are lowering prices, reshoring auto jobs, and restoring consumer choice. Since day one, the Trump Administration has prioritized the revival of the American auto industry, and EPA has worked diligently to achieve the President's agenda through cutting of burdensome red tape and implementing common-sense policies.

"Over the last year, EPA has worked to rescind or revise a number of misguided Obama and Biden-era regulations that were increasing costs and hampering job creators, without providing the human health or environmental benefit they were touted to bring," said EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi. "In stark contrast, this Administration is supporting American manufacturing and delivering billions in regulatory cost savings while providing tangible environmental results. It was great to see the positive effect this Administration's common-sense policies are having not only for auto manufacturers but also throughout the auto industry supply chain in Michigan and beyond."

On the morning of Monday, April 20, 2026, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi visited Umicore's Auburn Hills, Michigan facility. As a member of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Umicore develops catalyst systems, an essential component of vehicle exhaust reduction. According to MEMA, the vehicle supply sector employs over 900,000 Americans directly and 4.8 million Americans indirectly, making it the largest manufacturing employer in the U.S.

Later in the afternoon, the Deputy Administrator toured the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) facility in Plymouth, Michigan. SEMA is comprised of businesses across the auto distribution chain from manufacturers to independent retailers. Each year, the SEMA show hosts the largest gathering of small businesses and provides an opportunity for these businesses to highlight their new vehicle aftermarket products. At each visit, it was clear that EPA's actions, such as ending the push towards an electric vehicle mandate, are being felt positively throughout the entire auto industry supply chain.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Deputy Administrator spent the day meeting with EPA staff and touring the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory at EPA's Ann Arbor office. He visited with the dedicated teams of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, who have worked tirelessly on landmark rules, including the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and the Renewable Fuel Standard "Set 2" final rule, and who are continuing to work to address Americans' concerns around system failures related to Diesel Exhaust Fluid and lowering fuel costs. He ended the visit by touring the agency's state-of-the-art National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. EPA's lab provides a host of emission testing services for motor vehicle, heavy-duty engine, and nonroad engine programs in support of rulemakings, enforcement actions, and test procedures development. This includes certifying that vehicles and engines meet federal emissions and fuel economy standards, testing engines for in-use compliance, and analyzing fuels, fuel additives, and exhaust compounds.

Additionally, while in the area, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi joined WJR 'JR Mornings to discuss the decisive March 2026 action taken by the agency to issue temporary emergency fuel waivers to allow nationwide sales of E15, gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol, and to remove all federal impediments to selling E10, gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol, across the country. Through these waivers, which will go into effect for most states on May 1, 2026, EPA is fortifying the domestic gasoline supply chain and providing Americans relief at the pumps.