The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency delayed this week’s scheduled implementation of regulations capping greenhouse gas emissions from industrial boilers to the delight of the nation’s manufacturing lobby.

The new rule put on hiatus Monday would have impacted manufacturers, municipalities, universities and any other industrial facilities using a boiler or solid waste incinerator for heat or electricity.

Several industries, particularly manufacturers, opposed the new rules, saying they needed better research and were difficult and costly to implement.

“Manufacturers are pleased that the EPA has decided to be responsive to the concerns of job creators by delaying the implementation of the “Boiler MACT” and solid waste incinerator regulations. This is substantial progress, and we applaud its decision,” said Aric Newhouse, National Association of Manufacturers senior vice president for policy and government relations, in a press release.

EPA first proposed the rules governing “boiler maximum achievable control technology,” or Boiler MACT, in April 2010. It was part of President Barack Obama’s efforts to cap greenhouse gas through executive regulation, after the U.S. Congress failed to pass cap-and-trade legislation in 2009.

The Boiler MACT rule would have been implemented Friday, but is now on indefinite hiatus. EPA will collect information on the impact of the rule until July 15.

“We hope today’s announcement is an indication that the EPA understands the potentially devastating job impact of its regulatory agenda on manufacturing workers and the economy,” Newhouse said. “We will continue to work with the EPA, Congress and the Administration to ensure manufacturers and their employees are protected.”