A breakdown of major EPA deregulatory moves around water, air, climate
Source: Associated Press
BY MICHAEL PHILLIS, ALEXA ST. JOHN AND JACK BROOK
Updated 9:02 PM EDT, March 12, 2025
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Wednesday announced nearly three dozen deregulatory moves that he said would spur the U.S. economy by rolling back rules that have unfairly burdened industry. Many of the moves would affect landmark regulations aimed at protecting clean air and water.
Industry generally applauded the proposed changes, while environmentalists worried about what would amount to historic rollbacks if they are approved. Here’s a look at some of the 31 regulatory changes Zeldin announced:
Reconsider power plant emissions standards
The Biden administration set limits on planet-warming emissions from existing gas and coal-fired power plants – a major step in the administration’s effort to reduce greenhouse gases from the heavily polluting energy sector. Trump has long opposed such tough, climate-friendly limits and has instead promoted oil and gas development. Zeldin said the agency would reconsider the Biden administration standards to avoid constraining energy production.
Reconsider toxic emission limits on power plants
Coal plants emit toxic metals like mercury and the Biden administration issued a rule to severely limit those pollutants. Officials at the time said technology had progressed enough for these plants to do better. The EPA on Wednesday said nearly two dozen states had sued, arguing the rule was costly and a major burden, especially to coal plants. They also considering offering industry a two-year compliance extension while officials reconsider the rule.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/epa-zeldin-deregulation-plans-list-actions-5fb7fc1d24f54f193d585643c8fba79f
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