Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy (Trump EO Tracker)

This proclamation addresses the EPA’s April 5, 2024 final rule, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants:  Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review, 89 Fed. Reg. 24090 (EtO Rule), which imposes new emissions-control requirements on commercial sterilization facilities. The proclamation declares that that certain stationary sources subject to the EtO Rule, as identified in Annex I of the proclamation, are exempt from compliance with the EtO Rule for a period of two years beyond the EtO Rule’s relevant compliance dates. During the two-year period, the exempted stationary sources will remain subject to the emissions and compliance obligations in effect prior to the issuance of the EtO Rule.

Establishes Schedule G within the excepted service to cover noncareer, policymaking or policy-advocating positions that are normally subject to change with a presidential transition. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is directed to issue implementing regulations, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) is tasked with appointing candidates aligned with the President’s policy priorities while remaining neutral on political affiliation. 

Exempts six coal-fired power units in Ohio, Colorado, and Illinois from compliance with EPA’s revised Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for two additional years, through July 8, 2029. Allows these facilities to operate under the previous MATS standards due to the unavailability of commercially viable compliance technology.

Grants a two-year exemption from compliance with the EPA’s HON Rule for 25 specified chemical manufacturing facilities. Extends implementation of new hazardous air pollutant standards under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, allowing affected facilities to continue operating under previous emissions rules.

Grants a two-year exemption from the EPA’s Taconite Rule to seven iron ore processing facilities operated by U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs. Extends all compliance deadlines under the rule, maintaining pre-existing emissions standards to preserve domestic steel production capacity.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue new guidance within 45 days to enforce the termination of Sections 45Y and 48E tax credits for wind and solar under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including restricting safe harbor use and preventing manipulation of “beginning of construction” rules. Treasury is also directed to implement the Act’s enhanced Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) restrictions within the same timeframe. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior must review and revise any department policies that give preferential treatment to wind and solar over dispatchable energy sources.

Through October 15, 2025, all executive departments and agencies are prohibited from filling vacant federal civilian positions or creating new ones unless exempted by law or approved under a limited review process administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Agencies must ensure any hiring aligns with the Merit Hiring Plan and are barred from using outside contracting to circumvent these restrictions.

Establishes the President’s Make America Beautiful Again Commission to coordinate federal conservation efforts and expand outdoor recreation access. The Commission is directed to promote natural resource stewardship, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and support voluntary conservation, while advising the President on restoring public lands, recovering wildlife, and improving water access and quality. It will be chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy serving as Executive Director. Members will include the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and other Administration officials as designated by the Chair and Executive Director.