By Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will announce on Wednesday the rollback of Biden-administration rules meant to curb carbon dioxide, mercury and other air pollutant emissions from power plants, following through on a promise the agency made in March, according to three sources.
The announcement will be a key step in President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to unwind environmental regulations he views as unnecessary barriers to industrial development and expanded energy production.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin had announced in March his intent to unwind three dozen existing agency air and water rules. The sources said Zeldin on Wednesday is expected to announce the rollback of carbon dioxide emissions rules as well as mercury and air toxics regulations, and leave some of the other planned rollbacks for later.
The EPA confirmed Zeldin will make a major policy announcement on Wednesday afternoon alongside six lawmakers from coal-producing states but did not provide details about the contents of the announcement.
The EPA has already exempted 47 companies from regulations to curb mercury and air toxics for their coal-fired power plants for two years, according to a list of facilities published by the Environmental Protection Agency in April.
That move is intended to prevent power plants from having to retire as the U.S. faces an expected jump in electricity demand linked to a surge in datacenter construction.
The Biden administration’s carbon emission rules for power plants would have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons by 2047, and formed a crucial part of its broader agenda to fight climate change.
The electricity sector is responsible for nearly a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas pollution.
(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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