On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced its intention to significantly roll back major climate policies, including critical regulations that target pollution from vehicles and power plants. This move represents a substantial setback for America's efforts toward clean air, clean water, and effective climate action. The anticipated changes are likely to introduce further uncertainty into key industries, particularly manufacturing, which President Donald Trump has pledged to support.
The administration's rapid announcement of over a dozen rollbacks within a two-hour window was marked by apparent placeholders and typos in the news releases, indicating a hasty approach to these changes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed plans to undo regulations that would have encouraged power plants and automakers to transition to cleaner energy sources. Additionally, the administration intends to reverse rules concerning soot, mercury, coal ash pollution, and the “good neighbor rule” that manages downwind air pollution. Furthermore, it plans to eliminate programs focused on environmental justice and diversity.
Significantly, Trump's EPA is preparing to reconsider and potentially invalidate a key scientific finding regarding the dangers of climate pollution, which has been foundational for federal regulations aimed at mitigating these risks. Dismissing this precedent would diminish the EPA's authority to manage the pollution contributing to global warming. The Union of Concerned Scientists criticized the administration's actions, asserting that they would jeopardize human health for the benefit of private industry. Senior policy director Rachel Cleetus stated, “The rollbacks will leave the nation sicker and our air, water, and soil dangerously contaminated.”
Cleetus described the day as “horrific” for individuals burdened by air and water pollution. During a significant energy conference in Houston, Trump officials openly questioned climate science and expressed their intent to dismantle President Biden’s climate regulations, labeling them as irrational. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated, “The Trump administration will treat climate change for what it is — a global physical phenomenon that is a side effect of building the modern world.”
The Trump administration will embark on a lengthy regulatory process to undo Biden’s climate rules, with Wednesday’s announcement marking the beginning of that journey. In response, climate and environmental groups have vocally opposed the EPA’s plans, vowing to challenge them legally. Jason Rylander, legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, remarked, “The Trump administration’s ignorance is trumped only by its malice toward the planet.” He emphasized that the administration is prioritizing polluter profits over people’s lives, regardless of the increasing climate crises.
The impending regulatory changes could pose challenges for the auto and electricity utility industries, which typically plan years in advance and prefer regulatory stability. CNN has reached out to industry trade groups for their insights. The EPA's decision to dismantle a vehicle pollution rule finalized by the Biden administration in March 2024 is particularly noteworthy. This rule aimed to reduce emissions from vehicles, encouraging U.S. automakers to produce more electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel-efficient hybrids.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin commented that the American auto industry has struggled under the previous administration's regulatory framework, stating that the Trump administration “will abide by the rule of law to protect consumer choice and the environment.” The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a key auto industry group, responded cautiously, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to emissions for preserving vehicle choice and maintaining global competitiveness.
In addition to vehicle regulations, the Trump administration plans to dismantle a Biden-era rule requiring coal and new natural gas power plants to either significantly reduce or capture 90% of their climate pollution by 2032. Zeldin reiterated Trump’s commitment to abolishing the previous administration's Clean Power Plan, asserting that the current administration is building on that progress.
Alex Bond, executive director of clean energy and environment at the Edison Electric Institute, highlighted the need for a consistent federal regulatory framework. He warned that without it, electric companies could face a complex array of state regulations and lawsuits, potentially leading to higher costs for customers and jeopardizing grid reliability. Bond reaffirmed that his organization and its members continue to support the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
This article has been updated to include additional news and information regarding the Trump administration’s significant rollbacks of climate policies and their implications for public health and the environment.
