With EPA’s Latest Move, Trump Topples the Last Pillar of Biden’s Climate Legacy

The United States has experienced a tumultuous history with coal power, with coal accounting for nearly half of all global carbon emissions since the industrial era began. The country has seen a shift between policies aimed at phasing out coal and policies that seek to keep it in use. The Obama administration attempted to force utilities to reduce emissions by shifting away from coal through the "Clean Power Plan," but President Donald Trump later repealed this rule.

The Biden administration, in its 2024 rule, tried to find a middle ground by allowing utilities to either retire coal plants by the 2030s or install carbon capture technology. However, the Trump administration is now repealing this rule, effectively allowing utilities to continue using coal power. This decision comes as a significant setback to the federal government's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the power sector.

Environmental groups have expressed concern over the consequences of this decision, including the potential for increased public health risks due to the continued use of coal plants, which release harmful toxins. Despite the Obama and Biden rules never taking effect, coal power has still been on a decline in the United States over the past two decades, thanks to the shale fracking boom and the shift to cheaper natural gas.

The repeal of the Biden rule could delay this phaseout and have significant impacts on public health, potentially leading to thousands of premature deaths and billions in health damages.