Like a Yelp Review (about toxins instead of tacos)
We have proof that public comments on proposed regulations make a difference. For example, in early 2023, changemakers left comments on a proposed rule to limit methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. A few months later, when the EPA released the final regulations, the requirements had been tightened and some important loopholes were closed, including two critical changes that climate advocates had requested via hundreds of individual comments. When explaining why the changes were made, the EPA referenced specific comments from the public. That’s collective impact! Agencies take our input seriously. So how does it work?
The devil is in the details.
If the legislation is an architectural blueprint, regulators are the contractors who iron out all the construction logistics. When Congress passes a law, it doesn’t typically include all the details for how that law will be implemented. That’s where the executive branch comes in, issuing regulations that clarify the law and executing the vision of the administration.
Congress passes a law.
The President approves or vetoes the law.
A federal agency drafts regulations based on the law's objectives.
The draft regulations are published for public input.
A federal agency considers public feedback and makes revisions.
Final regulations are prepared.
A federal agency publishes the final regulations, which become legally binding.
Federal agencies are asking us to review their products on Yelp (basically)…
We would love to give five-star reviews on the final version of every proposed regulation. That’s what we hope the outcome is if we give clear feedback on the first draft of regulations. We acknowledge what’s good—cozy ambiance and friendly service—and articulate what should be improved—more flavor for the appetizers and a tad shorter wait time. When decision-makers read those public comments, hearing what’s good and what needs work, we hope they implement improvements, always keeping science and equity at the forefront.
It's worth noting that leaving a comment is one of the best and only ways that everyday constituents can voice their opinions to the executive branch. Members of the executive branch are not elected by the public, so they’re not tasked with representing us like our legislators are. This means that calling an employee at an executive agency to voice your opinion will likely not yield the same result as calling your senator’s office. They’re not paid to listen to us! They do, however, have an obligation to consider official public comments.
When a federal agency proposes a new regulation, it is required by law to solicit public comments. A draft of the regulations is published to the Federal Register, a public record of government regulations and notices. This is where the public, which includes climate advocates, energy companies, frontline communities, and any other interested parties, can review the proposed regulations and provide feedback during a designated comment period. Federal agencies then make revisions based on feedback and prepare a final version of the regulations.
How we submit feedback to a federal agency:
To submit feedback on climate regulations, use our step-by-step playbook! It only takes 30 minutes and submitting a comment is your chance to provide feedback on how the regulation might affect you, your community, or (the global!) society as a whole.
Step 1: Open our step-by-step, powerful playbook here.
Step 2: Invest just 5-10 minutes familiarizing yourself with the current proposed regulation. You do not need to be an expert, but it’s valuable to articulate some clear recommendations (which Climate Changemakers provides for you in every one of our issue briefings!).
Step 3: When writing your comment, speak sincerely; choose an issue frame that motivates you, this could be something like decarbonization, environmental justice, or job creation (we have a list of common issue frames in every issue briefing). And if you happen to have particular expertise on an aspect of the rule, public comments are a great way to share your knowledge with the agency.
Step 4: Submit! The public comment period is typically a few weeks, so submit before the deadline and encourage a few people in your personal network to do the same. The fossil fuel lobby is robust, so climate advocates should encourage civic action in our own circles to increase our collective influence.
Bonus: Federal agencies will often hold a few town hall-style video calls during the open comment period, which offer another opportunity to express your opinion directly to decision-makers.
Submitting public comments is surprisingly accessible to residents in the U.S.—anyone with an internet connection can access the comment portal once it opens. If you’re here, you’re ready. Own your power and get in on the action.
Climate Changemakers monitors the most relevant public comment opportunities. Become a member, drop into an Hour of Action, or follow us on social media for an announcement each time a meaningful public comment period opens.
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