EPA Moves to Restore American Energy Dominance and Lower Costs
In a major win for American energy independence, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced proposals to repeal key Biden-era regulations that have burdened the power sector and raised energy costs. Joined by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie(R-KY), and other lawmakers, Administrator Zeldin outlined two proposed rollbacks: one targeting greenhouse gas emissions rules under the Clean Air Act, and another reversing amendments to the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).
The EPA is proposing to repeal regulations from the Obama and Biden administrations on power plants, including the 2015 emissions standards for new fossil fuel-fired power plants and the 2024 rule for new and existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. This proposed repeal reflects the legal precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court in West Virginia v. EPA, which ruled that the agency overstepped its authority in attempting to restructure the nation’s energy grid. The repeal could save the power sector nearly $19 billion over 20 years, or about $1.2 billion annually.
The EPA is also proposing to roll back the 2024 MATS amendments, reverting to the original 2012 standards that already achieved a 90% reduction in mercury emissions. The newer rules created uncertainty for plants in over a dozen states and imposed costly upgrades. The rollback is expected to save an additional $1.2 billion over the next decade.
“Affordable, reliable electricity is key to the American dream and a natural byproduct of national energy dominance,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “According to many, the primary purpose of these Biden-Harris administration regulations was to destroy industries that didn’t align with their narrow-minded climate change zealotry. Together, these rules have been criticized as being designed to regulate coal, oil and gas out of existence.”
We applaud the EPA and Administrator Zeldin for taking America’s energy dominance seriously. These repeals eliminate regulatory barriers that hinder energy development and increase reliance on foreign power sources, helping to fulfill this administration’s promises to reduce costs and prioritize American resources.
June 12, 2025