Chemical Maker Oversight Fees EPA Collects Meet Congress’ Intent

Chemical manufacturers are paying the portion of the EPA’s chemical oversight costs that Congress intended, according to an audit the agency’s internal watchdog released that showed an improvement over last year’s report.

Chemical manufacturers’ fees defrayed 25% of the Environmental Protection Agency’s costs of carrying out certain tasks, the Office of Inspector General said in an audit released Thursday.

Congress authorized the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Service Fee Funds in 2016 as part of that chemical law’s overhaul.

The statute requires the fees that chemical manufacturers pay be sufficient, but not more than reasonably necessary, to defray approximately 25% ...