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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump is preparing to eliminate federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants, marking a major rollback of Biden-era climate regulations
• The draft rule, which aligns with a 2022 Supreme Court decision, argues that such emissions are a declining share of global totals and have negligible impact on public health or climate change
• The plan is now under interagency review and is expected to be formally released in the coming months
🔭 The context: The Supreme Court's 2022 ruling limited the EPA's authority to enforce a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy under the Clean Air Act
• In response, Biden's administration revised emissions rules, aiming to comply with the ruling while still curbing climate pollution
• The Trump administration is now actively dismantling key environmental policies, including those targeting power plant emissions, electric vehicles, and water protections — signaling a comprehensive regulatory reversal
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The proposed rollback threatens the U.S.’ ability to meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and could stall global decarbonization efforts
• Power plants account for roughly 25% of U.S. emissions, and lifting controls would significantly undermine progress in reducing greenhouse gases
• Experts warn the policy shift prioritizes fossil fuel interests over public health and environmental protection, deepening climate risks
⏭️ What's next: The final rule, once published, is expected to face immediate legal challenges from environmental groups, states, and possibly international partners
• The move could redefine U.S. climate policy and further polarize environmental governance ahead of the 2026 midterms
• The fate of the 2009 “endangerment finding,” which underpins the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases, may also come under scrutiny, potentially reshaping the legal foundation for federal climate action
💬 One quote: “It’s completely reprehensible that Lee Zeldin wants to roll back these lifesaving rules and do more harm to the American people just to curry favor and earn some brownie points with the fossil-fuel industry.” — Patrick Drupp, Sierra Club
📈 One stat: In 2022, power plants were responsible for approximately 25% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making them a key target for federal climate regulation
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