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.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel
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