Order, Disorder & Reorder: Managing 2025 Environmental Regulatory Changes

There is a fundamental truth in both Eastern and Western wisdom traditions: we cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. This is especially true in today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape where federal, state, and local regulations are in a seemingly constant state of change. Even small changes to environmental regulations—including climate; environmental, health, and safety; fire protection; and product shipping—can dramatically shift the way businesses operate.

Risks of Regulatory Change

Regulatory changes can increase operational costs, alter business models, create new or different compliance burdens, affect market dynamics, and limit growth opportunities. They can also require investment in new technologies, processes, or staff training to adapt to new rules, which can be challenging for both small emerging businesses and well-established businesses with siloed operations. Failure to comply with new or changed regulations can result in costly fines, damaged reputation, loss of customer trust, operational disruptions, legal action, and even in extreme cases business closure—depending on the severity of the violation. Each of these potential consequences can threaten the company’s bottom line and ability to operate effectively.

What 2025 Environmental Regulatory Changes Can You Expect?

Leadership changes, especially to a different political philosophy in a highly polarized environment, can lead to particularly dramatic regulatory changes. At the federal level, tools like the Congressional Review Act can be used to retroactively review rules and regulations submitted toward the end of the previous session. Meaning, when a new Congress and President are inaugurated, they can easily overturn rules and regulations issued by the outgoing administration.

Given our current administration change, we can expect order, disorder, and reordering of policies from federal agencies like the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and Department of Transportation (DOT).

Here are a few projected 2025 environmental regulatory changes that could affect your business:

While some state/local jurisdictions may choose to align with the incoming federal administration’s agenda, many others will not, striving to further local priorities contrasting the federal agenda. Keeping pace with all these changes can easily become overwhelming.

Proactive Compliance to 2025 Environmental Regulatory Changes

Regulations are always changing but your processes do not have to fall behind. APTIM’s regulatory review services simplify the process of staying alert to changing regulations by delivering applicable and tailored compliance information. We identify regulations that matter most to your business, provide timely insights and actionable updates, and empower you to mitigate risks and maintain compliance. When you work with our experts, you tap into a time-tested process, as well as the tools and insights to prepare for compliance—now and into the future.