In brief
Nancy Beck and Lynn Ann Dekleva, ex-officials from the Trump administration and representatives of the chemical industry, are reportedly returning to the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) in pivotal positions. Their prior involvement in resisting stricter chemical regulations raises alarms about corporate influence over chemical policy and safety.
Two prominent figures from the chemical industry, Nancy Beck and Lynn Ann Dekleva, are slated to return to the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.), echoing their efforts during the Trump administration. Their anticipated roles have reignited concerns regarding the potential sway of corporate interests on chemical safety regulations. Nancy Beck, a toxicologist and former executive at the American Chemistry Council, is expected to oversee key aspects of chemical policy. During her previous tenure from 2017 to 2021, she became known for opposing tighter restrictions on chemicals and is accused of facilitating political interference in agency science. Her actions helped modify regulations related to harmful substances, such as the “forever chemical” linked to cancer, making it difficult to assess and regulate its health impacts. Alongside Beck, Lynn Ann Dekleva, an experienced environmental engineer, will assist in overseeing new chemicals as the deputy assistant administrator. Dekleva has spent over three decades in the chemicals sector, including significant tenure at DuPont, and, like Beck, has connections to the American Chemistry Council. Neither the E.P.A. nor Beck provided comments regarding their appointments. Following her departure from the law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth, Beck has been listed as a political appointee in the E.P.A. staff directory. As both Beck and Dekleva prepare to take on their responsibilities, their past affiliations and actions have sparked a dialogue around the implications of their presence in regulatory roles, particularly in relation to public health and environmental safety.
