The Trump administration plans to dismantle pollution controls designed to curb soot and greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. coal-fired power plants, aiming to keep some of the most polluting facilities operational.
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intention to reassess the soot and greenhouse gas regulations implemented under former President Joe Biden. This initiative is part of a wider deregulatory effort intended to support coal, manufacturing, and ramp up domestic oil and mineral production.
Soot particles pose risks and are significantly harmful for health as they are tiny enough to enter the bloodstream and brain. Meanwhile, the U.S. power sector contributes roughly 25% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump’s decision is consistent with his executive orders from January 20, which directed the EPA to review regulatory measures impacting energy reliability and declared a national energy emergency to enhance fossil fuel and electricity output.
Under Biden’s administration, the EPA argued that the stricter soot standard for 2024 was reasonable, given that 91% of coal plants were already compliant. However, the Trump administration aims to maintain operation of existing coal plants and potentially reopen closed facilities to meet the anticipated rise in national power demand in coming years.
Currently, approximately 200 coal plants remain in the U.S., delivering 16% of its electricity. A rollback of soot limits would greatly benefit the dirtiest plants, like Montana’s Colstrip, which lack modern pollution controls.
