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By Andrew Stanton and Gabe Whisnant
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Calling it the "most consequential day of deregulation in American history," Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a sweeping rollback of landmark environmental regulations on Wednesday, targeting rules on coal-fired power plant pollution, climate change policies, and electric vehicles.
Why It Matters
Upon his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has prioritized oil and gas production over efforts to protect the environment and mitigate climate change. He has also pushed for broad deregulation across the federal government.
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Republicans say these policies are better for business and will drive economic growth, but critics say they will be costly in the long term, as climate change has the potential to worsen natural disasters and make parts of the earth difficult for humans to live.
What to Know
Zeldin wrote about his deregulation efforts in an essay for The Wall Street Journal published Wednesday afternoon.
"We are driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion and ushering in America's Golden Age," Zeldin wrote.
The Trump administration's efforts will eliminate trillions in regulatory costs and "hidden taxes," Zeldin said, lowering the cost of living for American families by reducing expenses on essentials like buying a car, heating a home, and running a business.
"Our actions will also reignite American manufacturing, spreading economic benefits to communities," he added.
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He pointed to regulations such as the Clean Power Plan, which established carbon emissions limits for coal power plants, the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, and Particulate Matter 2.5 levels as policies the EPA is "reconsidering" under his watch.
The EPA is also working to end Good Neighbor Plan emission requirements, implemented by the Biden administration to reduce ozone-forming emissions of nitrogen oxides.
"Energy dominance stands at the center of America's resurgence. By reconsidering rules that throttled oil and gas production and unfairly targeted coal-fired power plants, we are ensuring that American energy remains clean, affordable, and reliable," Zeldin wrote.
He addressed critics who believe repealing these regulations will harm the environment, writing that the EPA remains committed to "safeguarding human health and the environment," and that he wants to achieve those "goals—through partnership rather than prescriptive bureaucracy" and regulation.
His announcement drew quick backlash from environmental protection advocates.
The Sierra Club said in a statement that these standards are "based on a strong scientific record and serve a number of public interests." These include "lowering the amount of deadly toxins fossil fuel-fired plants are allowed to release into the air and water," reducing steel and aluminum mill pollution, and requiring fossil fuel companies to control pollution.
What People Are Saying
Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous, in a statement: "Donald Trump's actions will cause thousands of Americans to die each year. It will send thousands of children to the hospital and force even more to miss school. It will pollute the air and water in communities across the country. And it will cause our energy bills to go up even more than they already are because of his disastrous policies. But as they put all of us at risk, Trump and his administration are celebrating because it will help corporate polluters pad their profit margin."
Environmental organization Sunrise Movement, on X, formerly Twitter: "TRANSLATION: F*** you and f*** your future. Corporate polluters can dump sewage in your water, spew toxic gas into your air, and double down on burning the fossil fuels driving us into climate apocalypse. Billionaires can do whatever they want, and everyday people can eat s***."
Representative Russell Fry, a South Carolina Republican, on X: "Deregulation for the win! Thank you @epaleezeldin for supporting American citizens and paving the way for the Great American Comeback."
What Happens Next
Trump is expected to continue to focus on policies promoting fossil fuel production throughout the rest of his term.
Update 3/12/25, 5:35 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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