The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its intention to eliminate limits on greenhouse gas emissions by electric utilities now established with the federal Clean Air Act, aiming to ensure affordability and availability of energy for customers. Also, the Trump Administration aims to amend the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards that may result in the closure of coal-fired power plants.
“These Biden-era regulations have imposed massive costs on coal-, oil-, and gas-fired power plants, raising the cost of living for American families, imperiling the reliability of our electric grid, and limiting American energy prosperity,” according to EPA’s announcement.
The goal, according to EPA, is to reduce regulatory burdens on utilities, and in that way to lower costs and create more flexibility in energy production. The agency estimated it’s proposed changes would save utilities $19 billion in regulatory costs over two decades, starting next year, or about $1.2 billion annually.
“Affordable, reliable electricity is key to the American dream and a natural byproduct of national energy dominance,” stated EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “According to many, the primary purpose of these Biden-Harris administration regulations was to destroy industries that didn't align with their narrow-minded climate change zealotry. Together, these rules have been criticized as being designed to regulate coal, oil and gas out of existence.”