Biden’s ‘Woke Green Agenda’ on chopping block as EPA announces ‘most consequential day of deregulation’
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently made a groundbreaking announcement, declaring it as the “most consequential day of deregulation” in U.S. history. This move puts the Biden administration’s Clean Power Plan 2.0, which targeted power plants, on the chopping block. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, emphasized the agency’s commitment to providing Americans with reliable and affordable energy while following the rule of law.
The Clean Power Plan 2.0, finalized by the Biden administration in April 2024, aimed to crack down on existing and future fossil fuel-fired power plants as part of a broader climate agenda. The plan mandated existing coal-fired power plants and new baseload natural gas-fired power plants to install carbon capture technology by 2032 to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050. While the plan was hailed as one of the Biden administration’s most aggressive climate policies, critics warned about its potential negative impact on the nation’s electric grid.
This decision to reconsider the Clean Power Plan 2.0 follows the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in West Virginia v. EPA, which struck down the 2015 Clean Power Plan under the Obama administration. The Court’s decision limited the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon emissions broadly. The EPA highlighted that the Biden administration’s rule was an attempt to achieve the unlawful fuel-shifting goals of the Clean Power Plan.
In a press release, the EPA noted that the Trump administration’s efforts to “Power the Great American Comeback” and the reconsideration of the Biden administration’s “Woke Green Agenda” marked the most significant day of deregulation in U.S. history. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced 31 actions to advance President Trump’s executive orders, focusing on unleashing American energy, revitalizing the auto industry, restoring the rule of law, and empowering states to make their own decisions.
Zeldin also revealed that the EPA would be revisiting rules on mercury and air toxicity standards, as well as regulations on light, medium, and heavy vehicles, and the “social cost of carbon.” Additionally, the EPA terminated $20 billion in grants awarded by the Biden administration for climate and clean-energy projects due to concerns about program integrity, fraud, waste, and misalignment with the agency’s priorities.
This move signifies the EPA’s commitment to being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and ensuring that regulatory decisions align with the nation’s energy needs and economic interests. The agency’s actions aim to unleash the potential of American energy resources, lower costs for consumers, support economic growth, and uphold the rule of law.
In conclusion, the EPA’s decision to reconsider the Clean Power Plan 2.0 and other regulations represents a significant shift in the agency’s approach to environmental policy. By prioritizing the interests of American citizens and businesses, the EPA is working towards a more balanced and effective regulatory framework that promotes environmental protection while supporting economic growth and energy security.
