# Merck had tried unsuccessfully to persuade lawmakers and other state officials to ease water pollution reporting rules.

*biotech · news · 2026-05-06 · The Philadelphia Inquirer*

## Key points

- Shapiro's administration expedited drafting less stringent spill reporting rules at Merck's request in 2023.
- DEP ultimately dropped the proposed relaxed regulations due to overwhelming public opposition and shifted to nonbinding guidance.
- Emails reveal direct and sustained lobbying from Merck, uniquely targeting spill reporting regulations for years.
- Only 11 out of nearly 1,200 public comments favored Merck-backed changes to spill reporting requirements.

**Companies:** Merck & Co.
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on The Philadelphia Inquirer](https://www.inquirer.com/business/josh-shapiro-merck-spill-reporting-dep-20260506.html)

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