No, they have been harassing business owners for a long, long time. Back before I retired I worked as an Environmental, Health & Safety manager for several businesses. There is a reason that some permit processes can take several years and result in permits that are 3, 3-inch binders thick. And any business that violates some rule in the 9-inch thick document can get shut-down. I recall one process for a company that had spent over 5 years trying to get a permit to operate. I took over the file and realized they were below any threshold requirement for even needing to apply for a permit. The company, "acting in good faith," applied 5 years ago. It took me running the numbers on emissions, using the the agencies own engineering calculations and piling a stack of documents on a conference table with the regional director, to secure their now 'waiver.' A waiver they never needed to begin with and do not need to operate. The EPA isn't full of activists, the kids coming out of the colleges today are already indoctrinated as part of obtaining their degree in things like: environmental social justice, environmental management and the urban community, http://www.csuohio.edu/undergradcatalog/urb/programs/envstu.htm
I agree with you, what seem to change in 09 is they begin to partner with many other depts including Justice to really put the screws to conservative donors.