President Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the leadership of Lee Zeldin has unveiled plans to roll back numerous environmental regulations across various industries, including energy, manufacturing, automotive, and infrastructure. This move is aimed at fostering business growth.

Here are some key areas and specific regulations that will be reconsidered or rolled back:

Climate Change and Energy

• Reconsideration of the 2009 Endangerment Finding: This finding established that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane pose a threat to public health.
• Clean Power Plan 2.0: The EPA plans to reassess regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fired power plants, which were part of efforts to combat climate change.
• Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas: The agency will reconsider rules requiring the reporting of methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

2. Air Quality and Emissions

• Vehicle Emissions Standards: The EPA aims to relax greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles, which could impact the shift toward electric vehicles.
• Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS): These standards for coal-fired power plants may be revised, potentially easing restrictions on toxic emissions.
• National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs): The EPA may use a national security exemption to extend compliance deadlines for certain National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).

3. Water Regulations

• Clean Water Act: The EPA plans to revise the definition of waterways eligible for protection, potentially reducing restrictions on agricultural runoff and chemical activities.
• Coal Combustion Residuals: Regulations governing the cleanup of coal ash may be revised.

4. Enforcement and State Cooperation

• Enforcement Priorities: The EPA will redirect enforcement resources to focus on core health and safety issues, reducing what it sees as unnecessary bureaucratic burdens.
• Good Neighbor Plan: This plan, aimed at reducing cross-state air pollution, will be ended.
• State Implementation Plans (SIPs): The EPA will work to address backlogs in SIPs, allowing states more flexibility in managing their environmental policies.

5. Other Initiatives

• Environmental Justice Initiatives: The EPA plans to terminate certain environmental justice and diversity initiatives.
• Wastewater Reuse: The agency will explore new uses for treated wastewater from oil and gas operations, such as cooling data centers.

Environmental advocates and health experts argue that rolling back regulations on emissions and pollution will lead to increased air pollution.

Environmental regulations have had a profound impact on the environment over time, particularly in reducing pollution and improving air and water quality. Here are some key ways regulations have influenced environmental outcomes:

1. Reduction in Pollution

• Air Quality: Regulations like the Clean Air Act have significantly reduced emissions from vehicles and industrial sources, leading to cleaner air and fewer respiratory health issues. Studies have shown that environmental regulations have effectively decreased air pollutant emissions, improving public health.
• Water Quality: Laws such as the Clean Water Act have reduced industrial and agricultural runoff, improving water quality and protecting aquatic ecosystems.

2. Climate Change Mitigation

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions have been crucial in addressing climate change. Although progress has been slow, these regulations have encouraged the transition to cleaner energy sources and more efficient technologies.

3. Technological Innovation and Economic Impact

• Innovation: Environmental regulations have driven technological innovation by forcing industries to adopt cleaner production methods and reduce emissions. This has led to the development of green technologies and more efficient energy use.
• Economic Impact: While regulations can increase compliance costs for businesses, they also create jobs in the environmental sector and stimulate economic growth through innovation.

Zedlin says these actions will reduce energy costs for Americans. According to a Feb. 2025 report, electricity prices are the highest they’ve been since the 1990s, adjusted for inflation.