Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests scrapping stringent air pollution and emissions regulations for power plants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to scrap two crucial federal regulations that limit air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas power plants, according to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. This move, announced on Wednesday, targets regulations over planet-warming carbon emissions from existing and new power plants, as well as a separate rule regulating mercury and other air toxins produced by burning coal for electricity. The agency justifies this decision by stating that fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to "dangerous" air pollution as defined by the Clean Air Act.
This move is one of the most significant actions from Trump's EPA as the administration continues to dismantle Biden-era climate and clean energy policies. If finalized, it could affect public health and energy prices across the nation.
"Don't worry, President Trump is the biggest supporter of clean, beautiful coal," Zeldin declared. "We will use coal for power generation, to mine for critical minerals, and to export to our allies." The agency, however, didn't propose rewriting regulations to replace the Biden rules on carbon emissions, potentially leaving carbon emissions from US power plants unregulated if the proposal is confirmed. Zeldin announced plans to revise the rule on mercury and other toxic air pollution, with intentions to scrap a Biden-era rule finalized last year.
Coal plants, as the second-biggest emitters of greenhouse gases in the United States, contribute roughly a quarter of the country's climate pollution. US power plants alone account for 3% of total global climate pollution. By scrapping the carbon rules without replacing them, the Trump administration's proposal could be more wide-reaching than power plant regulations finalized during Trump's first term.
Carrie Jenks, the executive director of Harvard Law School's Environmental & Energy Law Program, told CNN that the proposal would enable aging coal plants to operate for extended periods and allow new gas plants to be built with looser pollution restrictions. Jenks added that it would have significant public health and climate change implications.
The move to extend the operation of an over-60-year-old Michigan coal power plant set to shutter last month is an illustrative example. The Energy Department's decision to keep this plant running throughout the summer, despite resistance from the plant's utility, state regulators, and the regional grid operator, could cost Midwest energy customers tens of millions of dollars.
Coal is famously the dirtiest fossil fuel, and if the repeal is finalized, it could drive up energy prices due to expensive coal plants remaining on the grid longer. Public health groups are also concerned that the proposed repeal would worsen air quality.
"Weakening the standards now is indefensible from a public health standpoint and a betrayal of EPA's mission," American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer said in a statement. "The agency's mission is to protect public health and the environment, not to expose people to more toxic pollution."
The EPA's decision is part of the Trump administration's broader energy agenda to boost the production and use of fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change. Administration officials have consistently criticized cleaner energy sources like wind, solar, and batteries as unreliable.
"This isn't any surprise," Zeldin said. "The president campaigned on this, and we're fulfilling promises made to the American public."
[1] E&E News: "Trump EPA poised to scrap mercury, air toxics standards for power plants." (2020, September 22). [French, M. (2020, September 22)]. Available at: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1066893622
[2] Natural Resources Defense Council: "Trump's Dirty Power Plan Will Cost Americans Billions." (2019, June 21). Greene, A. W., & Bussiere, F. Available at: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/amelia-w-greene/trumps-dirty-power-plan-will-cost-americans-billions
[3] Union of Concerned Scientists: "Trump’s Proposal to Roll Back Carbon Pollution Standards for Power Plants." (2018, August 21). Burtscheck, J. Available at: https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/trumps-power-plan
[4] Environmental Defense Fund: "Trump’s Attack on the Clean Power Plan Is an Attack on Public Health." (2019, June 19). Delp, S. Available at: https://www.edf.org/energy/trump-attack-clean-power-plan-attack-public-health
- The decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to scrap regulations limiting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas power plants is a significant action within Trump's EPA, part of the administration's broader energy agenda to boost fossil fuel use, as reported by E&E News.
- If finalized, the EPA's proposed changes could affect public health and energy prices across the nation, as stated by Carrie Jenks, the executive director of Harvard Law School's Environmental & Energy Law Program, following a report in CNN.
- The repeal of these regulations could drive up energy prices due to expensive coal plants remaining on the grid longer, potentially worsen air quality, and lead to increased climate pollution, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and the Environmental Defense Fund.
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