Unforeseen Impact of Chemical Rules Revealed in Energy Near Miss

The US narrowly avoided a major disruption in its energy supply this year after a federal chemical rule’s impacts weren’t recognized during its development, highlighting a challenge the country faces as the EPA issues more and stronger chemical regulations.

More than one-third of the nation’s 92 commercial nuclear power reactors, which supply 20% of the nation’s energy, would have faced possible shutdowns and other problems if the Environmental Protection Agency hadn’t agreed earlier this month to let plants continue using wires and cables that contain a recently banned flamed retardant, according to multiple analyses.

Nearly ...