Category: Energy

Trump Administration Begins Dismantling Power Plant Rules

The House of Representatives recently voted 216 to 212 to repeal the power plant rule that “prevents facilities previously subject to strict standards for seven hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act (CAA) from being reclassified into a less-strict category of regulation,” according to a Washington Examiner article on MSN News. No replacement rule […]

The Trump Administration’s Opposition to Wind Energy

Offshore wind projects are in jeopardy in the wake of President Donald Trump’s initial Executive Order (EO) to halt wind energy leasing projects. With massive monetary investments on the line, lawsuits are certainly forthcoming. “The Trump administration took a more aggressive step against wind in April when it ordered the Norwegian company Equinor to halt […]

The Future of ‘Clean’ Coal

On April 8, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 14261: Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241 and issued a Presidential Proclamation entitled “Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Energy.” These actions gave almost 70 coal-fired power plants a two-year exemption from meeting tighter emissions laws […]

EPA Deregulation: A Look Ahead

On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that “the Agency will undertake 31 historic actions in the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history, to advance President Trump’s Day One Executive Orders (EOs) and Power the Great American Comeback.” “Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen. […]

Wastewater Standards Revisions for Oil and Gas Extraction and Coal Power Plants

On March 12, 2025, the EPA made two announcements: Background The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires the EPA to revise industry-wide wastewater treatment limits, called effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs), to keep pace with innovations in pollution control technology. “[ELGs] are national industry-specific wastewater regulations based on the performance of demonstrated wastewater treatment technologies (often called […]

EPA Makes Higher Ethylene Fuel Available Year-Round

On February 21, 2025, the EPA announced it will allow the year-round sale of higher ethylene E15 fuel. The biofuel industry, corn growers, and lawmakers from the Midwest have requested annual sales of this type of fuel for many years. “E15 is a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline,” states the Iowa Renewable Fuels […]

Outgoing U.S. Ag Chief Critical of EPA Biofuel Report

In one of his final actions before leaving office, outgoing U.S. Agriculture Chief Tom Vilsack harshly criticized the EPA’s 2025 Biofuels and the Environment Report. “The Third Report concludes that the effect of the Renewable Fuel Standard Program varies with time and the RFS Program had a modest positive effect on biofuel production and consumption […]

ASSP Updates Standards on Safety Training and Hazardous Energy

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has revised two workplace safety standards that enable organizations to better protect workers and improve daily operations to achieve a higher level of business success. One standard guides the development of effective safety training while the other helps control hazardous energy that can seriously harm workers. ANSI/ASSP Z490.1-2024, […]

The Colorado Fight for Oil and Gas Emissions Info

After calling for more accessible public emissions records from Colorado, the EPA abruptly changed course and “proposed to rescind its previous directive that required the State of Colorado to collect and maintain critical air pollution data from the oil and gas industry,” states a Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) press release. “A coalition of […]