BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
1. The processing of taconite iron ore is a cornerstone of steel production and the broader manufacturing ecosystem in the United States. The facilities engaged in this process provide crucial raw materials essential for steel, which supports everything from national defense systems to vital infrastructure and numerous industrial uses. Strengthening and preserving domestic taconite processing capabilities is imperative for minimizing dependence on foreign sources and bolstering the resilience of American industrial supply chains.
2. On March 6, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a final rule under section 112 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412, titled National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Taconite Iron Ore Processing (Taconite Rule). This regulation imposes new emissions-control obligations on taconite processing facilities.
3. The Taconite Rule imposes significant constraints on a sector integral to the nation’s industrial framework. It mandates compliance with standards that depend on emissions-control technologies yet to be proven effective in the taconite industry, remain untested at a commercial scale, or are simply unfeasible under current operational conditions. If enforced according to the timeline specified in 89 FR 16408, the Taconite Rule could lead to facility shutdowns, diminished domestic production, and a weakened capacity to supply steel critical for defense, energy, and other essential manufacturing sectors. The United States cannot afford to let rigid regulatory timelines jeopardize a material vital to our industrial foundation. Preserving this capacity is crucial for both national security and economic stability.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, with the authority granted to me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412(i)(4), hereby declare that certain stationary sources identified in Annex I of this proclamation are exempt from compliance with the Taconite Rule for a period of two years beyond the originally established compliance dates (Exemption). The technology necessary for applying the Taconite Rule is currently unavailable, and it is essential to issue this Exemption now due to the extensive design, permitting, and construction lead times that would prevent regulated entities from meeting the compliance deadlines without this relief. This Exemption extends all compliance deadlines set forth by the Taconite Rule by two years from the initially required dates. Consequently, during this two-year timeframe, these stationary sources will adhere to the emissions and compliance obligations that were in effect prior to the implementation of the Taconite Rule. In support of this Exemption, I make the following determinations:
a. The necessary technology for the Taconite Rule’s implementation is not currently available. Such technology is not commercially viable enough to ensure compliance with the Taconite Rule within the deadlines specified.
b. Issuing this Exemption serves the national security interests of the United States, as outlined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of this proclamation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
ANNEX I
1. United States Steel Corporation
i. Affected Facility/Source:
i. Keetac Plant, Keewatin, Minnesota
ii. Minntac Plant, Mountain Iron, Minnesota
2. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
i. Affected Facility/Source:
i. United Taconite, Minnesota
ii. Northshore Mining, Minnesota
iii. Hibbing Taconite, Minnesota
iv. Minorca Mine, Minnesota
v. Tilden Mine, Michigan
vi. Empire Mine, Michigan
