Governor Kevin Stitt strongly criticized the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its last-minute decision to impose new, burdensome conditions on Oklahoma’s administration of environmental regulatory programs under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA). The decision, which was announced in the final days of this administration, undermines Oklahoma’s authority and jeopardizes the state’s ability to effectively govern and protect its citizens.

“This decision is a blatant overreach by a politically motivated federal agency,” said Governor Stitt. “It disregards Oklahoma’s proven ability to manage environmental programs and imposes unnecessary, ideologically driven mandates that harm our state’s citizens and economy. This isn’t about protecting the environment; it’s about Washington bureaucrats exerting control over Oklahoma at the expense of our economic future. I will explore every option to reverse this decision and protect Oklahoma businesses and families.”

The EPA’s decision mandates additional reporting and comment period protocols for Oklahoma’s environmental programs, creating significant administrative burdens and delays in critical regulatory decisions.

It also creates a unique regulatory structure that only applies to the State of Oklahoma, breaking with decades of federal regulatory precedent.

Oklahoma’s regulatory agencies have a long and successful history of implementing EPA-approved environmental programs and consulting with tribal leaders on environmental priorities. This order disregards that history and adds layers of bureaucracy to compliance activities.

Read the order here.