Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
St. Louis Area Gets 10 Newly Trained Environmental Workers Through EPA Grant
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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St. Louis Area Gets 10 Newly Trained Environmental Workers Through EPA Grant
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Students graduate from St. Louis Community College program made possible by EPA funding
LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 20, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 leadership visited St. Louis to congratulate 10 graduates of the St. Louis Community College Brownfields Environmental Remediation Job Training program.
St. Louis Community College hosts an environmental workforce development and job training
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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St. Louis Area Gets 10 Newly Trained Environmental Workers Through EPA Grant
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Students graduate from St. Louis Community College program made possible by EPA funding
LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 20, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 leadership visited St. Louis to congratulate 10 graduates of the St. Louis Community College Brownfields Environmental Remediation Job Training program.
St. Louis Community College hosts an environmental workforce development and job trainingprogram that has trained more than 47 students since 2024, including today's 10 graduates. This program is made possible through an EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant and serves as an example of how EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback to provide clean air, land, and water to all Americans while fostering economic growth.
"Employers across our region are asking for trained environmental professionals, and this program answers that call," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy. "The credentials students earn here translate directly into good jobs, economic opportunity, and cleaner, safer communities."
"The Brownfields Environmental Remediation Job Training Program has been extremely rewarding to work with," said St. Louis Community College Project Support Specialist Micheal Anderson. "Being able to recruit individuals who are ready to embrace a fulfilling and life-changing career path has been an honor. This program is truly transformative because it equips students with practical hands-on experience that ultimately makes them a more attractive to prospective employers."
Graduates of Brownfields Job Training programs learn valuable, sought-after skills and have the opportunity to earn a variety of certifications, ensuring that employment opportunities result not only in temporary contractual work, but also in long-term environmental careers.
St. Louis Community College's Brownfields Environmental Remediation Job Training program is tuition-free for accepted students. The program provides 20 licenses and certifications, including high-demand certifications such as 40-hour HAZWOPER, OSHA 10-hour Construction and Safety, asbestos abatement, lead abatement, and more.
Background
EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, Brownfields investments have leveraged more than $42 billion for cleanup and redevelopment and have created more than 220,500 jobs. Since the Brownfields Job Training Program's inception, over 21,000 individuals have received training and over 16,100 graduates have obtained employment in the environmental field.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/st-louis-area-gets-10-newly-trained-environmental-workers-through-epa-grant
ICYMI: New York Post: EPA to Reform Biden's $5B Electric School Bus Program by Providing More Fuel Alternatives
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: New York Post: EPA to Reform Biden's $5B Electric School Bus Program by Providing More Fuel Alternatives
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WASHINGTON - Yesterday, The New York Post highlighted recent action the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking to revamp the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. Updates to the disastrous Biden-Harris Administration program will provide school districts with increased choice and affordable options for school buses. EPA's plans to set the program straight will strengthen oversight
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: New York Post: EPA to Reform Biden's $5B Electric School Bus Program by Providing More Fuel Alternatives
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WASHINGTON - Yesterday, The New York Post highlighted recent action the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking to revamp the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. Updates to the disastrous Biden-Harris Administration program will provide school districts with increased choice and affordable options for school buses. EPA's plans to set the program straight will strengthen oversightand compliance actions in a way that aligns with President Trump's Day One executive orders and ensure hard-earned American tax dollars are being put to the best use possible.
Read the full story (https://nypost.com/2026/02/19/us-news/epa-to-reform-bidens-5b-electric-school-bus-program-by-providing-more-fuel-alternatives/):
"The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking to reform an electric school bus program that had $2.3 billion in remaining taxpayer funding by providing an array of fuel alternatives through new grants with leftover cash.
"EPA officials will announce Thursday that they're expecting feedback from school officials, fleet operators, manufacturers and producers on the range of 'biofuels, compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas, and hydrogen' that could power buses nationwide with a 'more reliable' energy source.
'"Today, EPA takes the next step to set the program straight,' EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement to The Post. 'Americans can rest assured that moving forward, the program will be safe, effective, and use reliable forms of American energy.'
"The regulatory process, which will begin with what's known as a Request for Information (RFI) from all those parties, aims to dole out the billions of dollars in grants for school bus fleets starting in 2026 -while complying with the 2021 authorizing law, passed under President Joe Biden.
"The Clean School Bus Program set aside $5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace thousands of gas-guzzling vehicles with zero-emission ones taking American kids to schools.
"The Biden-era legislation had permitted rebates for the fuel alternatives in addition to all-electric vehicles, EPA officials noted, and will be able to provide the grants without running afoul of clean-air regulations or laws.
"But around 90% of the funding went toward funding all-electric buses, officials said.
"The EPA's watchdog determined in a 2023 audit that the program was rife with 'potential fraud, waste, and abuse' -and rescinded $38 million in ineligible rebates requested.
"At least one manufacturer, Lion Electric, went bankrupt in 2024 after taking $160 million in taxpayer dollars.
"At least $2.7 billion in funding was awarded to 1,152 school districts to make the change to 8,236 electric buses -but dozens were stalled by manufacturing issues, the Washington Free Beacon first reported.
"More than $61 million went toward just two entities in New York City making 180 all-electric buses for five school districts, coming out to roughly between $295,000 and $395,000 for each one. It's unclear how many were produced.
"Statewide in New York, school districts got $210 million from the program and manufactured just 150 buses, a spokesperson from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority previously told The Post.
"That puts a price tag on the electric bus swap at approximately $318,452.45 per vehicle to produce.
'"As was the case with so many of the Biden-era programs, the Clean School Bus program has been a disaster of poor management and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars,' Zeldin added. 'At the Trump EPA, we have zero tolerance for reckless spending.'
"Officials and parents of schoolchildren also carped that electric buses failed to sufficiently provide heat for students during the colder winter months, were prone to breaking down on their routes and too costly for many districts millions to switch to.
"The RFI public comment period will run for 45 days before the process of rolling out new rebates begins."
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/icymi-new-york-post-epa-reform-bidens-5b-electric-school-bus-program-providing-more
ICYMI: Breitbart Exclusive: EPA Chief Lee Zeldin Ends Democrat War on 'Beautiful, Clean Coal'
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: Breitbart Exclusive: EPA Chief Lee Zeldin Ends Democrat War on 'Beautiful, Clean Coal'
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WASHINGTON - Today, Breitbart News highlighted a key action the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking to ensure affordable, dependable energy for American families and restore American energy dominance. EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi was alongside elected officials and other industry leaders at Mill Creek Power Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, today to announce the agency's repeal
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: Breitbart Exclusive: EPA Chief Lee Zeldin Ends Democrat War on 'Beautiful, Clean Coal'
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WASHINGTON - Today, Breitbart News highlighted a key action the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking to ensure affordable, dependable energy for American families and restore American energy dominance. EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi was alongside elected officials and other industry leaders at Mill Creek Power Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, today to announce the agency's repealof the Biden Administration's 2024 amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants across America. This momentous action will enforce the existing, highly effective and robust MATS requirements of 2012, save Americans an estimated $670 million, and lower everyday living costs, all while protecting human health and the environment.
Read the full story Exit EPA's website :
"At Mills Creek Power Plan in Kentucky, EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi announced the finalization of the agency's deregulatory action to ensure affordable and dependable energy for American families.
"The deregulatory action will repeal the Biden administration's 2024 amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, namely coal- and oil-fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (EGUs), a rule commonly known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants.
"The EPA will still enforce effective and robust MATS requirements without compromising access to dependable and affordable energy. The final rule is expected to save $670 million.
'"The Biden-Harris Administration's anti-coal regulations sought to regulate out of existence this vital sector of our energy economy. If implemented, these actions would have destroyed reliable American energy,' Zeldin said in a written statement.
'"The Trump EPA knows that we can grow the economy, enhance baseload power, and protect human health and the environment all at the same time. It is not a binary choice and never should have been,' he added.
"The repeal of the Biden-era 2024 MATS requirements will:
* Relieve power facilities of revised filterable particulate matter (fPM) emission standard for coal-fired power plants
* Rescind the updated mercury standard for lignite-fired power plants
* Repeal the requirement for all power plants to use PM Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), which was believed to result in higher net costs
"President Donald Trump has long been a champion Exit EPA's website of 'beautiful, clean coal.'
"Since the 2012 MATS rule was enacted, acid gas hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions have been reduced by over 96 percent, and emissions of non-mercury metals, including nickel, arsenic, and lead, have been reduced by more than 81 percent.
"The repeal of the 2024 Biden-era MATS regulations is in furtherance of the Trump administration's energy dominance agenda.
"EPA first established the MATS rule in 2012 to limit HAP emissions, including mercury, acid gases such as hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride, non-mercury metals such as nickel, lead, and chromium, and organic pollutants such as formaldehyde and dioxins/furans from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
"In 2020, the EPA completed an eight-year review of the 2012 MATS standards to find if it was necessary to update the standards; the EPA found at the time that the 2012 MATS requirements were more than enough to protect Americans' health. Despite this finding, the Biden administration established heightened standards and continuous monitoring systems that led to more net costs as opposed to net benefits for the American people. Last March, Zeldin announced a series of sweeping actions to advance Trump's energy dominance agenda, including reconsidering the MATS requirements.
"Environmental experts believe that repealing the 2024 power plant rule is the right move.
"Ben Lieberman, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), wrote Exit EPA's website :
"Fast forward to 2024, and the Biden administration doubled down by significantly tightening the mercury requirements Exit EPA's website for coal-fired facilities. And there is not even $4 to $6 million in hypothetical monetized benefits from reducing mercury emissions, as there was in the 2012 rule. For this 2024 rule, the agency declined to quantify any mercury benefits. In other words, the agency tightened a rule that, if anything, should have been repealed.'
"Diana Furchtgott-Roth, the Heritage Foundation's Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment director, said last June about the EPA's proposal to repeal the MATS rule:
"President Donald Trump's latest move to repeal the Biden Administration's power plant regulations marks a pivotal moment in America's energy policy. If finalized, this proposal would not only lower electricity costs for millions of Americans but also strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce the risk of blackouts.
"The new regulation, with its companion regulation to revert to 2012 standards for mercury emissions, are a bold step toward restoring energy affordability and reliability, pillars of economic growth and national security.
"The EPA said in a press release last March that the Biden-era MATS rule caused significant regulatory uncertainty across the country, including Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
'"EPA needs to pursue commonsense regulation to Power the Great American Comeback, not continue down the last administration's path of destruction and destitution,' Zeldin said last March. 'At EPA, we are committed to protecting human health and the environment; we are opposed to shutting down clean, affordable, and reliable energy for American families."'
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/icymi-breitbart-exclusive-epa-chief-lee-zeldin-ends-democrat-war-beautiful-clean-coal
How New Amtrak Maintenance Facilities Improve Reliability and Reduce Delays
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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How New Amtrak Maintenance Facilities Improve Reliability and Reduce Delays
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Reliable service starts behind the scenes.
Amtrak is building a network of new and upgraded maintenance facilities across the country to support today's fleet and the next generation of trainsets. These modern facilities allow full trainsets to be inspected and serviced together, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
Major facilities are being developed in key hub locations including Seattle, Boston, New York,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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How New Amtrak Maintenance Facilities Improve Reliability and Reduce Delays
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Reliable service starts behind the scenes.
Amtrak is building a network of new and upgraded maintenance facilities across the country to support today's fleet and the next generation of trainsets. These modern facilities allow full trainsets to be inspected and serviced together, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
Major facilities are being developed in key hub locations including Seattle, Boston, New York,Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and upstate New York, supported by additional satellite locations across the network.
These investments help keep equipment in better condition, improve operational performance, and ensure trains are ready for customers every day.
Working in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration, this program is helping us deliver more reliable service and build a new era of rail that will serve customers for decades to come.
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/02/how-new-amtrak-maintenance-facilities-improve-reliability-and-reduce-delays/
EPA Mid-Atlantic Administrator Highlights Energy, Water Infrastructure on Visit to Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Mid-Atlantic Administrator Highlights Energy, Water Infrastructure on Visit to Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania
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PHILADELPHIA - EPA Mid-Atlantic Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey completed a multi-day visit through the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania that included discussions and first-hand views of brownfield reclamation, landfill methane capture, wastewater infrastructure upgrades, and high production energy centers.
"Partnership collaboration is how we deliver environmental progress,"
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Mid-Atlantic Administrator Highlights Energy, Water Infrastructure on Visit to Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania
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PHILADELPHIA - EPA Mid-Atlantic Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey completed a multi-day visit through the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania that included discussions and first-hand views of brownfield reclamation, landfill methane capture, wastewater infrastructure upgrades, and high production energy centers.
"Partnership collaboration is how we deliver environmental progress,"said Van Blarcom-Lackey, a Pennsylvania native who's held the position since April 2025. "It's critical that we learn from local leaders and agency partners to identify where EPA's tools and technical support can help accelerate results. These visits underscored that collaboration with communities, utilities, and industry is essential to protect human health, steward natural resources, and grow local economies."
Trip highlights
* Earth Conservancy (Ashley, PA) -Van Blarcom-Lackey met with Earth Conservancy (EC), an experienced Pennsylvania Brownfields partner to discuss restoration projects, including the Nanticoke Creek Watershed Restoration Project, and other strategies to address legacy coal mining impacts in Luzerne County. The Nanticoke project was partially funded through a $1,956,427 EPA Brownfields cleanup grant that supports work to restore roughly 15,000 linear feet of stream, reconnect upper and lower watersheds, and prevent acid mine drainage from re-entering the creek-aiming to revive aquatic habitat, improve water quality, and create long-term environmental, recreational, and community benefits.
"We're grateful for the opportunity to reflect on our shared history during this visit," said Terry Ostrowski, Earth Conservancy President and CEO. "For more than three decades, EPA's partnership has allowed us to reclaim land, reduce environmental risk, and return formerly blighted properties to productive use, strengthening both the environmental and economic health of our communities."
* Archaea Energy (Throop, PA) - EPA met with Archaea Energy-a BP subsidiary and the nation's largest renewable natural gas (RNG) producer-at its Assai facility. Discussions focused on how the industry is cutting waste emissions by capturing methane from landfills and farms and converting it into low-carbon fuel and electricity. The team also discussed its other Pennsylvania RNG plants in Bethlehem and Hegins, which, like Assai, are designed to significantly reduce emissions and generate high-value environmental credits.
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* * Lackawanna River Basin Sewer Authority (Throop, PA) - EPA's visit continued with a roundtable discussion with LRBSA officials. The authority manages wastewater treatment across the watershed and works to reduce pollution from mine drainage, manage stormwater to improve water quality, and ensure the responsible discharge of treated effluent to the Lackawanna River. Operating under state and federal oversight, LRBSA works to advance per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring in collaboration with stakeholders and partners.
* * American Water's Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant (Scranton, PA) -EPA toured Pennsylvania American Water's Scranton wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) which serves roughly 30,000 customers and has undertaken substantial upgrades under a 2013 EPA consent decree and Long-Term Control Plan to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the Lackawanna River. The visit focused on recent investments, operational improvements, and strategies to manage stormwater and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Discussions included different approaches to reduce system burden and improve water quality.
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"We're proud to host our partners from the EPA and showcase our collaborative efforts to restore the Lackawanna River and the Chesapeake Bay," said Daniel Rickard, Director of Engineering for PA American Water. "We truly value these partnerships, which play a vital role in protecting and preserving a clean environment."
* Invenergy - Lackawanna Energy Center (Jessup, PA) -EPA's visits concluded at Invenergy's Lackawanna Energy Center, the company's largest operational project, which is a 1,485 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle natural gas facility that entered service in January 2019. Since the start of construction, Lackawanna has invested more than $285 million in the local economy, including $170 million in wages and benefits for workers and partner contributions totaling $400,000 to local nonprofits in Jessup and surrounding communities. Conversations highlighted the role of modern, efficient generation and energy storage in supporting grid reliability while advancing a broader transition to additional energy portfolios.
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"With each visit, we saw the value of practical, effective solutions shaped by local expertise," Van Blarcom-Lackey added. "From cutting methane emissions to strengthening water and energy infrastructure, we're committed to partnering with communities and industry to deliver measurable environmental and economic benefits."
EPA partners with communities, states, and industry to deliver practical, science-based solutions that protect human health, restore natural resources, and foster economic growth. To learn more about EPA activity throughout the Mid-Atlantic, visit our regional website or follow us on Instagram Exit EPA's website, X Exit EPA's website, and Facebook Exit EPA's website.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-mid-atlantic-administrator-highlights-energy-water-infrastructure-visit-wyoming
EPA Issues Guidance Update on Regional Haze Plans for States to Ensure Reliability of the American Electric Grid
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Issues Guidance Update on Regional Haze Plans for States to Ensure Reliability of the American Electric Grid
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum clarifying guidance on Regional Haze State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to support the reliability of our electric grid. For far too long, the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Regional Haze Program (Program) have been weaponized to compel power plant closures in an attempt to force generation shifting. Despite one of the necessary
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Issues Guidance Update on Regional Haze Plans for States to Ensure Reliability of the American Electric Grid
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum clarifying guidance on Regional Haze State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to support the reliability of our electric grid. For far too long, the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Regional Haze Program (Program) have been weaponized to compel power plant closures in an attempt to force generation shifting. Despite one of the necessaryconsiderations in the Program being energy impacts, effects on grid reliability have not been taken into account. EPA will no longer support this misuse. The agency will uphold the law and return the Program to its intended purpose. This guidance update is one of many actions EPA has taken to restructure the broken Regional Haze program and advance cooperative federalism with EPA's state air partners.
"With recent events like Winter Storm Fern and significant increases in demand in electricity, we must ensure that the electric grid Americans depend on remains reliable," said Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Aaron Szabo. "This guidance update makes certain that the lights will turn on when you flick the switch in your home because that is now a consideration for States when looking to make significant changes to coal power plants for purely ideological purposes."
EPA prepared this non-binding guidance update to assist states with the preparation of any remaining second planning period regional haze SIPs due to EPA, as well as any future revisions to those SIPs. This guidance update clarifies that EPA encourages states to consider potential impacts on grid reliability when determining the emission reduction measures that are necessary to make reasonable progress in meeting Program air quality requirements. In CAA section 169A(g)(1), there are four considerations that are often referred to as the statutory factors associated with reasonable progress. These four factors are the costs of compliance, the time necessary for compliance, the energy and nonair quality environmental impacts of compliance, and the remaining useful life. In this guidance update, EPA explains that considering grid reliability impacts is contained within analyzing the energy and nonair environmental impacts factor, a key determination in second planning period regional haze SIPs.
EPA continues to move forward with the previously announced effort to meaningfully revise the Regional Haze Rule (RHR).
For more information on this guidance update and a link to the memorandum, visit the following webpage: https://www.epa.gov/visibility/update-guidance-regional-haze-state-implementation-plans-second-implementation-period
Background
In 2017, EPA announced revisions to the RHR,1 and issued Guidance on Regional Haze State Implementation Plans for the Second Implementation Period2 in August 2019. There have since been significant increases in electricity demand and strain on the reliability of the United States' electrical grid. EPA does not support states forcing the premature closure of electric generating facilities in order to comply with the CAA's regional haze second planning period requirements.
Under the current RHR, states must submit SIPs to address visibility impairing pollutants in mandatory Class I Federal areas to demonstrate reasonable progress towards the national visibility goal under CAA section 169A(a)(1). Class I areas include many units in the National Park System and federally designated wilderness areas.
On December 31, 2025, Administrator Zeldin signed a final rule revising the current RHR to extend the due date from July 31, 2028, to July 31, 2031, for the third planning period of SIPs. EPA is extending this deadline to ensure that states and regional planning organizations have adequate time to adapt third planning period SIPs to any changes EPA makes to the Program as part of the ongoing effort to restructure existing regulations. This action was first announced through an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-issues-guidance-update-regional-haze-plans-states-ensure-reliability-american
EPA Continues to Reverse Democrats' War on Beautiful Clean Coal, Finalizes Repeal of Costly Restrictions on Baseload Power Generation
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Continues to Reverse Democrats' War on Beautiful Clean Coal, Finalizes Repeal of Costly Restrictions on Baseload Power Generation
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While at Mills Creek Power Plant in Kentucky, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the finalization of a deregulatory action to ensure affordable, dependable energy for American families and restore American energy dominance. In today's final action, EPA repealed the Biden Administration's 2024 amendments to the National Emission Standards for
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Continues to Reverse Democrats' War on Beautiful Clean Coal, Finalizes Repeal of Costly Restrictions on Baseload Power Generation
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While at Mills Creek Power Plant in Kentucky, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the finalization of a deregulatory action to ensure affordable, dependable energy for American families and restore American energy dominance. In today's final action, EPA repealed the Biden Administration's 2024 amendments to the National Emission Standards forHazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (EGUs) - a rule commonly known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for power plants, or simply MATS. By doing so, EPA will enforce existing, highly effective and robust MATS requirements, which will ensure public health and the environment are protected without compromising America's energy or economic prosperity. The final rule is expected to save an estimated $670 million, savings American families will see in the form of lower everyday living costs.
"The Biden-Harris Administration's anti-coal regulations sought to regulate out of existence this vital sector of our energy economy. If implemented, these actions would have destroyed reliable American energy," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "The Trump EPA knows that we can grow the economy, enhance baseload power, and protect human health and the environment all at the same time. It is not a binary choice and never should have been."
"The 2012 MATS Rule-reaffirmed by the Trump EPA in 2020-is fully protective of human health risks. Although the Biden-Harris EPA agreed with this conclusion, they charged ahead with a slew of unnecessary, costly, and burdensome new requirements based in part on incomplete information," said EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi. "That mistake ends today. The Trump EPA's action follows the rule of law and will reduce of cost of generating baseload power, lowering costs and improving reliability for consumers."
"I applaud the Trump EPA's continued efforts to overturn burdensome Democrat regulations that have placed lasting hardship on American families and workers. The Obama Administration's 2012 MATS rule was one of the biggest blows against West Virginia in the war on coal, putting an indescribable strain on our dedicated coal miners, their families and communities and our entire state. The Biden Administration only made matters worse when it included an even more stringent MATS rule in its package of regulations aimed at eliminating coal from our nation's energy mix. Building on last week's announcements, this latest action from the Trump EPA further demonstrates President Trump's and EPA Administrator Zeldin's support of the affordable and reliable electricity that coal provides," said Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).
"The EPA's decision to repeal the 2024 MATS revisions is a victory for American energy dominance. The Biden-Harris Administration's liberal regulatory agenda would have raised costs, created standards that were impossible to meet, and hurt energy reliability. To strengthen and secure our grid America must depend on reliable and affordable energy, so we cannot afford regulations that drive power plants offline. Thank you to Administrator Zeldin for addressing this burdensome overreach and restoring standards that protect both public health and the affordable and reliable energy American families and businesses depend on," House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02).
"Reliable baseload power is essential to keeping energy affordable for families and businesses across Southern Indiana and the country. The Biden Administration's war on coal drove up costs and threatened grid reliability. Today's action will reduce costs, strengthen American energy dominance, and protect the workforce, all while maintaining strong environmental standards," said Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN-09).
"It is so refreshing to have a President in office who understands how to make America an energy dominant country again," said Representative Mark Messmer (R-IN-08). "We should never ignore readily available sources of energy, which if left untapped, force us to become dependent upon our enemies to fill in the gaps. The repeal of the 2024 MATS amendments revives an industry crucial to making energy affordable again and allows Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money."
"I commend President Trump, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Deputy EPA Administrator Fotouhi for taking decisive action to restore common-sense energy policy. This long-overdue repeal strengthens grid reliability, protects Kentucky coal jobs, and ensures America remains energy dominant instead of energy desperate," said Representative Andy Barr (R-KY-06).
"America's energy dominance is powered by Kentucky coal. I'm grateful to partner with President Trump and his Administration to protect affordability and preserve Kentucky's low-cost energy," said Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman. "As Attorney General, I'm proud to stand strong for Kentucky coal and the men and women who keep the lights on."
The 2024 MATS regulation was another notch in the Biden-Harris Administration's war on coal. The rule imposed massive costs and red tape on coal-and oil-fired power plants, driving up the cost of living for American families, jeopardizing our grid reliability and national security, and limiting American energy and manufacturing dominance. The move was made despite the increased demand for baseload power across the nation; a demand which continues today.
The repeal of the 2024 MATS amendments will relieve all facilities of the unnecessary revised filterable particulate matter (fPM) emission standard for coal-fired power plants, the updated mercury standard for lignite-fired power plants, and the requirement for all power plants to use PM Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS)-which was shown to result in net costs, not benefits to the American people. This final rule reverts required compliance back to the existing 2012 standards that have driven sharp reductions in harmful air toxic pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. In fact, in 2021, under the original standards, mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants were already 90 percent lower than pre-MATS levels. And since the 2012 MATS rule was put into place, acid gas hazardous air pollutant emissions have been reduced by over 96 percent, and emissions of the non-mercury metals - including nickel, arsenic, and lead - have been reduced by more than 81 percent. The Biden-Harris Administration reaffirmed the success of these changes when finding the existing 2012 standards provided an ample margin of safety to protect public health.
Coal is an essential source of baseload power needed to power both the American economy and American homes. Ensuring affordable and reliable energy supplies drives down the cost of living across the board. Americans will see the expected $670 million in savings in the form of lower costs of transportation, heating, utilities, farming, and manufacturing, and more reliable energy. As part of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin ' s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, Administrator Zeldin pledged to restore American Energy Dominance. Today's action will further this goal without compromising EPA's core mission of protecting human health and the environment.
To read the final rule, please visit EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards website.
Background
EPA first established the MATS rule in 2012 to limit emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) including mercury; acid gases such as hydrogen chloride (HCl) and hydrogen fluoride (HF); non-mercury metals such as nickel, lead, and chromium; and organic pollutants such as formaldehyde and dioxins/furans from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
In 2020, EPA completed the required eight-year review of the 2012 standards to identify and address any residual risk to human health and the environment and, separately, to revise the standards "as necessary" in light of developments in practices, processes, and control technologies. After completing the review, EPA determined the 2012 standards protected public health with an ample margin of safety and that changes were not "necessary" because there were no cost-effective developments in control technology. The Biden-Harris Administration reaffirmed the 2020 Residual Risk Review and did not reopen it. Nevertheless, the Biden EPA established new standards and continuous emissions monitoring systems that resulted in net costs as opposed to net benefits for the American people, thereby removing existing compliance flexibilities in favor of an infeasible one-size-fits-all approach.
On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Zeldin announced a number of historic actions to advance President Trump's Day One executive orders and Power the Great American Comeback. He announced the agency would be reconsidering the Biden-Harris Administration's MATS rule. The Biden rule caused significant regulatory uncertainty, especially for coal plants in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming. In June 2025, the Trump EPA released its proposal and held a 45-day public comment period, which included a public hearing.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-continues-reverse-democrats-war-beautiful-clean-coal-finalizes-repeal-costly
