Recent polls show mixed public opinion on Trump's deportation policies, while the administration plans to roll back regulations on power plants to support the fossil fuel industry. Meanwhile, efforts to address climate change include home flood preparedness and climate solutions week. The administration is also targeting elite universities, affecting research funding and tax status, amidst broader political and environmental debates.
The Biden administration has delayed finalizing proposed environmental regulations targeting existing fossil fuel-fired power plants until after the 2024 election, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiling a new approach that will exempt existing natural gas plants. This shift comes amid pressure from various groups and lawmakers who criticized the original proposal as burdensome. The new plan aims to cover a broader range of pollutants emitted by gas-fired power plants and achieve greater emissions reductions, with the regulations set to be finalized in the coming weeks.
The Biden administration's proposed power plant regulations aim to reduce carbon emissions by requiring coal and large gas plants to capture or reduce 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2038. However, the regulations could allow some fossil fuel infrastructure to continue operating without an end date in sight, leading to concerns from environmental justice leaders about localized air pollution. The regulations will undergo a public process before being finalized and will likely face legal challenges from industry groups and Republican-led states.
