EPA signals it will slash climate and pollution rules, including for cars and power plants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicated Wednesday that it will slash a broad suite of rules and determinations that aim to cut pollution or mitigate climate change — including from cars and power plants.
The EPA announced that it will consider rolling back Biden-era regulations that are expected to sharply increase the number of electric vehicles sold as well as speed coal plant closures.
It will also reconsider the finding that climate change poses a threat to the public — which in turn lays regulatory groundwork for further climate action.
It is also considering rolling back regulations on the neurotoxin mercury coming from power plants and general air pollution limits for deadly soot.
Additionally, the agency indicated it would close offices dedicated to fighting pollution in underserved and minority communities around the country.
The moves on cars and power plants are not necessarily a surprise, as President Trump said during the campaign trail that he would eliminate both rules, particularly criticizing Biden’s auto emissions rule as an “EV mandate.”
But, the EPA’s announcement that it will reconsider the rules marks a formal step toward repealing the regulations. However, for the approximately 20 regulations the EPA said it would target on Wednesday, the announcement marks the beginning of the process, rather than the end, and it's possible the agency could change its mind along the way.
All of the moves come as Trump has promised broad deregulation – including of the environment to cut costs for businesses and consumers.
“Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen,” EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said in a written statement.
“We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more,” he added.
Environmental advocates, meanwhile, criticized the moves, saying they endanger public health.
“Breaking faith with the American people and breaking 50 years of laws of the land, the Environmental Protection Agency today abandoned protecting human health and the environment,” said Jackie Wong, senior vice president for climate and energy at Natural Resources Defense Council, in a written statement.
“Repealing or weakening these important safeguards on pollution from cars, power plants, and oil producers would mean higher energy bills, more asthma and heart attacks, more toxins in drinking water, and more extreme weather,” Wong said.
Topics
-
EPA sets stage for cutting climate and pollution regs
Click for more from The Hill. {beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story EPA sets stage for cutting climate and pollution regs The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ...The Hill - 2h -
EPA signals it could narrow Clean Water Act protections
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signaled it could narrow which set of waters receive protections under the Clean Water Act. The law requires the EPA to protect so-called “waters of ...The Hill - 8h -
Trump administration to drop case against plant polluting Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’
Biden-era suit sought to curb emissions of the carcinogen chloroprene at Denka plant formerly owned by DuPont. The Donald Trump administration has formally agreed to drop a landmark environmental ...The Guardian - 5d -
Trump officials to reconsider whether greenhouse gases cause harm amid climate rollbacks
Activists horrified as EPA reverses pollution laws and reviews landmark finding that gases harm public health. Donald Trump ’s administration is to reconsider the official finding that ...The Guardian - 1h -
Former EPA official reacts to cuts, regulation rollbacks
Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced dozens of cuts to environmental regulations, including decades-old rules on greenhouse gases and clean water. The ...CBS News - 25m -
EPA Cancels $20 Billion in Climate Grants
Here is what we know about the billions in funds that have led to federal investigations, lawsuits and frozen bank accounts for climate nonprofit groups.The New York Times - 5h -
Microplastics hinder plant photosynthesis, study finds, threatening millions with starvation
Researchers say problem could increase number of people at risk of starvation by 400m in next two decades. The pollution of the planet by microplastics is significantly cutting food supplies by ...The Guardian - 2d -
Trump Administration Claws Back $20 Billion in Climate Project Funds
After the EPA announced the move, an advocacy group sued, saying the agency broke a contract that denied eight organizations money to address climate change.Inc. - 6h -
'Nervous and rushed': Massive Fukushima plant cleanup exposes workers to high radiation and stress
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant’s radiation levels have significantly dropped since the cataclysmic meltdown 14 years ago TuesdayABC News - 1d
More from The Hill
-
Judge finds Trump unlawfully fired head of federal employee labor board
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that President Trump’s firing of the head of a board that resolves disputes between federal employees and the government was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Sparkle ...The Hill - 44m -
US puts Putin in hot seat with Ukraine ceasefire proposal
Presented by GE Aerospace — {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security PRESENTED BY The Big Story US puts Putin in hot seat with Ukraine ceasefire proposal The United States ...The Hill - 53m -
Distilled Spirits Council CEO warns European whiskey tariff could be 'very, very devastating'
The CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States on Wednesday warned that a European whiskey tariff would be "very, very devastating." “We've just gotten the news early, early this ...The Hill - 57m -
EPA sets stage for cutting climate and pollution regs
Click for more from The Hill. {beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story EPA sets stage for cutting climate and pollution regs The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ...The Hill - 2h -
Senate Democrats struggle with funding dilemma as shutdown deadline looms
Senate Democrats are staring down a major dilemma as they agonize over how to handle the GOP’s stopgap spending bill in the face of a potential government shutdown by the end of the week. ...The Hill - 2h
More in Politics
-
Judge finds Trump unlawfully fired head of federal employee labor board
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that President Trump’s firing of the head of a board that resolves disputes between federal employees and the government was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Sparkle ...The Hill - 44m -
US puts Putin in hot seat with Ukraine ceasefire proposal
Presented by GE Aerospace — {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security PRESENTED BY The Big Story US puts Putin in hot seat with Ukraine ceasefire proposal The United States ...The Hill - 53m -
Distilled Spirits Council CEO warns European whiskey tariff could be 'very, very devastating'
The CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States on Wednesday warned that a European whiskey tariff would be "very, very devastating." “We've just gotten the news early, early this ...The Hill - 57m -
Chuck Schumer is in a real shutdown mess. Can he lead Democrats out of it?
Despite pressure from the left to hold firm, some Democratic senators seem headed for an off-ramp.Politico - 1h -
EPA sets stage for cutting climate and pollution regs
Click for more from The Hill. {beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story EPA sets stage for cutting climate and pollution regs The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ...The Hill - 2h