U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin released a statement today in support of President Trump’s recent Executive Order, “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry.” Zeldin affirmed the EPA’s commitment to supporting American energy to “Power the Great American Comeback.”
Administrator Zeldin emphasized that the EPA is already taking steps to reverse actions by the Biden Administration that targeted industries like coal and increased energy prices for Americans facing record inflation. He asserted that the agency will pursue and implement “commonsense policies” that promote economic growth while safeguarding public health and the environment.
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“President Trump is delivering on the mandate Americans gave him last November by empowering different forms of domestic energy to drive down costs, increase domestic energy supply, and improve our grid security as we pioneer the path to become the Artificial Intelligence capital of the world,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin.
Zeldin contrasted the Trump administration’s approach with that of the Obama and Biden administrations, stating, “The Obama and Biden administrations deliberately tried to regulate coal out of existence. Under my leadership, economic growth and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive choices. We are committed to supporting all forms of energy, including clean beautiful coal, and have already taken steps to bolster America’s energy dominance and make energy affordable again while ensuring we have the cleanest air, land and water on the planet.”
He argued that the previous administration’s policies, which favored certain energy sources while hindering others like coal, drove up energy costs and increased reliance on foreign energy sources.
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He maintained that President Trump’s executive orders will lower the cost of living and enhance national security by ensuring abundant energy for emerging technologies like AI data centers and increased manufacturing demands.
Zeldin also highlighted the economic benefits of the coal industry, citing its contribution to jobs and resources.
To further support these objectives, the EPA will soon announce the availability of $5.8 million in State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) funds to assist states in developing and implementing EPA-approved state Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) programs.
The EPA, under Zeldin’s leadership, has taken or is taking the following actions to support coal and other energy production:
- Reconsidering Clean Power Plan 2.0: The EPA is reviewing the Biden-Harris Administration’s regulations on power plants, known as “Clean Power Plan 2.0,” which many believe is another attempt to achieve the unlawful fuel-shifting goals of the original Clean Power Plan, struck down by the Supreme Court in 2022. The EPA aims to ensure legal compliance and provide access to reliable and affordable energy.
- Revisiting Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS): The EPA is reconsidering the Biden-Harris Administration’s MATS, which prompted a lawsuit from 23 states. The Trump Administration is considering a 2-year compliance exemption for affected power plants while the EPA reviews the rulemaking process. Concerns about regulatory uncertainty and significant costs for coal plants, particularly in several states, are driving this review.
- Revising Wastewater Regulations: The EPA is revising the 2024 effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) for the Steam Electric Power Generating industry, citing the high costs associated with the stringent discharge standards for power plant wastewaters.
- Revisiting PM2.5 NAAQS: The EPA is revisiting the Biden PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which has raised concerns from states and posed a major obstacle to permitting. The EPA will also release guidance to increase flexibility on NAAQS implementation, reform New Source Review, and provide direction on permitting obligations.
- Reviewing Regional Haze Program: The EPA is reviewing its implementation of the Clean Air Act’s Regional Haze Program, which has imposed significant costs on power plants and other sectors, potentially affecting the availability of affordable energy.
- Granting Deadline Extension: The EPA quickly approved the Salt River Project’s Coronado Generating Station’s application for a deadline extension for coal ash management, working with the U.S. Department of Energy to prevent potential grid reliability issues.
- Encouraging State Oversight of Coal Ash: The EPA announced its intention to promote cooperative federalism by encouraging states to pursue oversight and permitting of coal ash within their borders, starting with proposed determinations for Wyoming and North Dakota.
- Reviewing Legacy-Coal Combustion Residuals Management Units Rule: The EPA is reviewing this rule, considering short- and long-term relief options such as extending compliance deadlines, with the goal of completing rule changes within a year.
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Zeldin concluded by stating that the EPA will continue to support President Trump’s executive orders and “Power the Great American Comeback” while upholding its mission of protecting human health and the environment, and promoting American energy dominance.
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