On November 21, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation that provides a two-year exemption for specific stationary sources from compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Coke Oven Rule. The Coke Oven Rule was established to regulate emissions from coke production facilities and imposes strict requirements that many have criticized as unfeasible due to the current lack of adequate technology. This exemption aims to support the domestic coke industry, which is important for national defense and infrastructure, by postponing compliance deadlines and allowing these facilities to operate under previous regulatory conditions.

The administration pointed out that the compliance requirements of the Coke Oven Rule rely on technologies that are not currently available in a cost-effective or commercially viable format. Consequently, many coke production facilities face the risk of operational shutdowns, which could threaten national security and economic stability by impacting the steel production supply chain. The President concluded that the continued operation of these facilities is crucial for maintaining essential infrastructure and military readiness.

The proclamation represents a balancing act between environmental regulations and the practical realities faced by key industries that impact national security. The administration’s actions aim to alleviate immediate pressures on the coke industry while addressing the complexities of regulatory compliance under the Clean Air Act. By extending the deadlines, the government seeks to provide additional time for the development of necessary technologies and to ensure that these vital functions can continue without compromising the nation’s security or economy.

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