June 22, 2025 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently unveiled two major proposals aimed at reversing environmental regulations imposed during the Biden administration — moves that officials say will help secure affordable, reliable energy and ease burdens on the power sector.

The first proposal would repeal all greenhouse gas emissions standards for the power sector under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act, including emissions rules for new and existing fossil fuel-fired power plants established under former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The second would roll back the 2024 amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, reverting to standards put in place in 2012.

The EPA argues that the Biden-era rules placed costly, unrealistic demands on coal-, oil- and gas-fired plants, threatening grid reliability, raising living costs for American families and limiting U.S. energy production.

“Affordable, reliable electricity is key to the American dream and a natural byproduct of national energy dominance,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “These Biden-Harris administration regulations have been criticized as designed to regulate coal, oil and gas out of existence in service of a narrow-minded climate change agenda.”

If finalized, the proposed changes are projected to save the power sector about $19 billion in regulatory costs over 20 years and deliver more than $1 billion annually in savings, according to Zeldin.

The announcement drew praise from West Virginia leaders who have long opposed federal emissions mandates they say unfairly target the state’s energy industry.

“Administrator Zeldin’s decision to withdraw the unlawful Greenhouse Gas Rule and the deeply flawed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards is a major victory for West Virginia, our energy producers and every American who depends on reliable, affordable electricity,” said Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

Morrisey, who as state attorney general helped lead the legal fight against the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, called the action a restoration of constitutional order.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, echoed that sentiment.

Capito, who fought against what she calls the “Clean Power Plan 2.0,” said the Biden rules would have forced the premature retirement of coal plants by 2035 unless they could capture 90% of carbon emissions — a level she called unachievable with today’s technology.

“I think that the repeal of the ‘Clean Power Plan 2.0’ again returns us to common sense,” Capito said. “We are looking at a shortage of power in this country. We need more power, not less.”

Capito cautioned, however, that it will likely be a year or more before any final changes are in place because of the complexity of the federal rulemaking process, required public comment periods and expected legal challenges from environmental groups.

“It will be a long time for the Trump administration to reconstruct a clean power plan to where we are more transitional while we’re moving toward carbon capture at a rate that’s actually achievable and makes sense,” she said. “It will probably be at least a year or two before we see these final rules again, but I’m glad that (EPA) Administrator (Lee) Zeldin has decided to move in this direction.”

Industry groups also welcomed the proposals. West Virginia Coal Association President Chris Hamilton said the repeals would support grid reliability and help preserve coal’s role in U.S. energy production.

“Today’s actions by Administrator Zeldin ensure that West Virginia’s coal industry will continue its tradition of powering this great country,” Hamilton said. “We look forward to working with Governor Morrisey and the Legislature to implement President Trump’s coal energy agenda.”

Both EPA proposals follow executive orders signed by President Trump in January aimed at boosting domestic energy production and securing what the administration calls “American energy dominance.”