Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to repeal the rule that limits greenhouse‑gas emissions from coal‑ and natural‑gas‑fired power plants. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the rollback will eliminate billions of dollars in costs for utilities and help “unleash” American energy for homes and businesses.
Policy shift from previous administrations
The proposed change, first reported by the New York Times, represents a stark departure from the climate‑focused regulations enacted under Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Zeldin framed the rule as part of the “most consequential day of deregulation in American history,” arguing that the prior standards “suffocated our economy” and aimed to “regulate the coal industry out of existence.”
Economic arguments and projected benefits
According to Zeldin, removing the rule will save the power sector billions of dollars and make electricity more affordable and reliable. The administration points to an Associated Press analysis that estimated the existing regulations could prevent up to 30,000 deaths and save $275 billion annually; the repeal is presented as a way to let market forces deliver similar outcomes without costly federal mandates.
Critics warn of health and environmental risks
Environmental and public‑health groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund, called the rollback “dangerous” and warned it could increase smog, mercury, lead and fine particulate pollution, leading to higher rates of respiratory illness and climate‑related damage. Vickie Patton, the EDF’s general counsel, said tearing down national protections would raise insurance costs and exacerbate record‑breaking heat, floods and storms.
Legal outlook
The rule change is expected to face immediate legal challenges, and some observers note it could limit future administrations’ ability to regulate power‑plant emissions under the Clean Air Act. The EPA has not yet issued a final decision.
Administration’s stance
President Trump has repeatedly pledged to “unleash American energy,” and the EPA’s proposal aligns with that agenda by removing what the administration calls unnecessary federal overreach. Zeldin emphasized that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from fossil‑fuel plants “do not contribute significantly to dangerous pollution” and therefore do not meet the Clean Air Act threshold for regulation.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
