Trump Administration Advances Major Deregulatory Actions on Energy, Environment

President Trump's administration has enacted a series of executive orders and deregulatory measures targeting environmental and energy regulations, including directing the EPA to roll back many Biden-era rules and prioritizing economic growth alongside environmental protection. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized that these deregulatory actions will not harm the environment or public health, asserting that the administration is responding to voters' economic concerns and high compliance costs. Zeldin highlighted that the regulatory rollback process will include opportunities for public comment and that decisions will not be prejudged, in accordance with procedural law. The administration's efforts target regulations in key states and sectors, such as coal production and clean energy, while also designating coal as a mineral to further support its extraction. Critics, including climate advocates, have expressed concern about the potential long-term environmental consequences of dismantling climate and pollution regulations. The administration has also introduced a new tool for stakeholders to suggest federal rule rescissions, signaling an ongoing and broad effort to reduce regulatory barriers.