WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Environmental Protection Agency made significant announcements on Wednesday that would loosen key environmental regulations in what he deemed as the most impactful day of deregulation in American history. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin outlined a series of actions aimed at rolling back rules regarding pollution from coal-fired power plants, climate change, and electric vehicles, which he believes will usher in America’s “Golden Age.”
Zeldin expressed his conviction that these changes would slash regulatory costs and hidden taxes, ultimately benefiting American families by reducing the cost of living. He also highlighted the potential economic benefits that could arise from these actions, pointing to a rejuvenation of American manufacturing and the promotion of energy dominance.
In a move that has been met with opposition from environmentalists and scientists, Zeldin and President Donald Trump are looking to revise the agency’s 2009 finding that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare. This finding has served as the legal foundation for various climate regulations governing motor vehicles, power plants, and other pollution sources.
Critics argue that attempting to overturn the endangerment finding would face challenges in court due to overwhelming scientific evidence supporting it. They maintain that these actions, if carried out, could lead to an increase in pollution levels not seen in decades in the U.S.
The EPA’s plan to repeal regulations on air pollution from fossil-fuel fired power plants, emissions from cars and trucks, as well as other environmental measures, have already sparked controversy within the environmental community. The rewriting of these rules could potentially have far-reaching consequences concerning public health and the environment.
Despite the EPA’s intentions, opponents believe that these changes represent a step backward in terms of environmental protection and could have detrimental effects on marginalized communities already burdened by pollution. With calls for sustainable energy solutions growing louder, the debate over these regulatory rollbacks is likely to intensify in the coming months.