“The case for CO2 freedom is made clear. Will consumerism replace climate exaggeration and magical energy thinking? Will Democrats join the new policy?”
Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a historic final rule titled:
EPA Finalizes Repeal of 2024 Power Plant Regulations, Delivering $300+ Billion in Savings, Proposes Repeal of All Remaining Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Power Plants
The rule is scheduled to take effect November 16, 2026.
The press release made an argument for affordable, plentiful, reliable, liberated energy, titled:
Trump EPA delivers reliable and affordable energy in the largest power sector deregulatory action in U.S. history
Released for maximum effect at the G20 Summit in Houston, Texas, the press release continued:
… U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the repeal of the majority of the Biden administration’s greenhouse gas requirements for U.S. power plants, an action the agency projects will save $310 billion, and proposed rescinding every remaining greenhouse gas standard for the power sector. If finalized, the new proposal would save an additional $370 million in direct compliance costs, in addition to the billions more American families and businesses can expect to see saved across the economy….
“The Trump EPA,” the press release continued, “is taking these actions in accordance with the law and based on the best reading of the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA’s final rule is expected to unleash the full potential of America’s vast energy resources, including coal and natural gas….
“For over 15 years, the Obama and Biden administrations implemented a war on coal to destroy reliable and affordable energy. The Trump Administration has come in to protect American energy and to make sure you can afford to keep the lights on,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “Americans will see a decrease in electricity prices, but this is just the beginning. We are working to go even further so that American energy can be fully unleashed. Realizing the full potential of American energy means more jobs, lower prices, and a more prosperous America.”
Playing offense, the press release explained its consumer-first energy exceptionalism.
“The Trump administration is saving Americans hundreds of millions of dollars through common sense energy solutions that put an end to the Biden administration’s disastrous Green New Scam policies enacted at the cost of our nation’s energy security and future,” said Chairman of the National Energy Dominance Council and DOI Secretary Burgum. “This necessary reversal restores efficiency to our energy sector and allows our vital resources to be used for the benefit of the American people. Under President Trump, this administration will continue reversing course on out-of-touch Obama and Biden-era policies by unleashing American energy and securing our nation’s energy independence for generations to come.”
Consumer first electricity was emphasized:
During periods of peak electricity demand, coal and natural gas continue to play a critical role in keeping the lights on,” said Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Today’s announcement will help ensure reliable electricity generation regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining by allowing coal and natural gas plants to keep generating power when Americans need it most. Unlike past administrations that prioritized the interests of climate alarmists, President Trump promised to put the American people first and he is delivering.
The case for CO2 freedom is made clear. Will consumerism replace climate exaggeration and magical energy thinking? Will Democrats join the new policy?
Appendix A: Background
From the press release:
The final rule strikes most of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards, which EPA has determined exceeded the agency’s authority under the CAA by requiring control technologies that are not adequately demonstrated, effectively forcing plants to retire rather than setting standards they could actually meet. The 2024 rule also failed to account for the U.S. Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v. EPA, which barred EPA from misusing the CAA to manipulate Americans’ energy choices. The manipulation in the 2024 rule created inefficient uses of natural gas, adversely impacted the nation’s energy systems, and drove electricity prices up. The 2024 rule was another example of the Democrats’ war on America’s natural resources and attempted to achieve the same unlawful fuel-shifting goals of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan.
Finally,
Concurrently with today’s final rule, EPA is proposing to rescind all remaining GHG emissions requirements for power plants, which have imposed unnecessary requirements and drained the power sector’s resources, while producing virtually no benefit. Following the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, and the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, EPA’s proposal states that CAA Section 111 does not give the agency the authority to regulate power plant emissions based on climate change. Models continue to show that GHG emissions from power plants have no material impact on global climate change. In fact, if all carbon dioxides were eliminated tomorrow, there would be no meaningful climate impact.