Though the rule was scheduled to take effect March 14, 2017, it was blocked by the Trump administration. In June, Scott Pruitt, the man appointed by Trump to run the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), delayed implementation of the Chemical Disaster Rule until February 2019.

Air Alliance Houston, backed by multiple national groups, is suing the EPA to challenge Pruitt’s delay. Arguments were live streamed during a hearing on Friday morning at the D.C. Circuit Court.

As Maya L. Kapoor noted at High Country News, discussing smog pollution rules, delayed implementation “has become a common strategy at Scott Pruitt’s EPA: When it comes to enacting new environmental regulations, the agency stalls.”

Mustafa Santiago Ali, senior vice president of the Hip Hop Caucus, said in a tweet that Thursday’s explosion is just the latest example of “why we need a strong EPA.”

As ThinkProgress noted, the explosion on Thursday “also follows multiple attempts by the Trump administration to eliminate the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. The agency is responsible for investigating major chemical fires, explosions, leaks, and other accidents.”

Earlier this year, the Environmental Working Group published a list of additional moves by the administration that show how “Trump has wreaked devastating damage on public health protections against hazardous chemicals.” Actions have included reversing chemical bans, slashing the EPA’s budget, and appointing chemical industry insiders to key government positions.

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