The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the lifting of limits on carbon emissions from coal- and gas-burning power plants. This move reverses climate policies established during the Biden and Obama administrations.
This decision represents the latest in a series of deregulation efforts by the Trump administration concerning the energy industry. Previous actions have included loosening or removing limits on carbon emissions from vehicles and household appliances. In 2022, the Republican-dominated Supreme Court ruled, in a six to three decision, that the EPA does not possess the independent authority to regulate carbon.
Fossil fuel companies have made significant financial contributions to Donald Trump. Energy companies have donated at least $75 million to his campaign, with executives also making large personal donations. Oil and gas companies further contributed nearly $12 million to Trump’s 2025 inauguration fund, and have continued to make large contributions to Trump-affiliated Political Action Committees (PACs). At least $25 million of this has come from one oil firm, Energy Transfer Partners, and its CEO.