Against the backdrop of the hottest summer on record and a United Nations report warning that global temperatures are pushing climate risks to “increasingly dangerous heights,” the Trump administration has moved to overturn the majority of a Biden-era regulation designed to limit climate pollution from power plants. The facility sector remains the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final plan that effectively dismantles the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards. In its justification, the agency argued that the previous regulations exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act because they relied on control technologies that were not yet adequately demonstrated.
Furthermore, the EPA proposed revoking all remaining greenhouse gas emissions requirements for power plants. The agency contends that these emissions “have no material impact on climate change.” The initial reveal of the plan to revoke the Carbon Pollution Standards occurred last spring, marking the second major step in rolling back the prior administration’s climate policies.
Hottest summer on record and they’re rolling back rules? The timing is frankly absurd.
I wonder how this stands up in court. The Clean Air Act authority debate isn’t settled yet.
Power plants are a huge emission source. Removing regulations now feels like cutting losses short.
Just another political play. The science hasn’t changed just because the administration did.
Claiming emissions have no material impact on climate change is a bold statement. What data supports that?
This seems reckless given the record heat and UN warnings. Are we really ignoring the evidence?