The biggest headline from the Environmental Protection Agency this week is the proposal to rescind the federal mandatory greenhouse gas reporting rule and a sweeping move to roll back Obama and Biden-era limits on emissions from fossil fuel power plants and vehicles. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described it as “the most significant day of deregulation in U.S. history,” as the agency takes steps affecting air quality, water protections, and climate change rules nationwide.

Let’s break down the key developments. First, on climate: The EPA is moving to repeal the 2015 New Source Performance Standards and the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards for both new and existing fossil fuel power plants. The agency argues these standards placed undue economic and operational burdens on energy producers, and supporters claim repealing them will lower energy costs and improve grid reliability. Critics, however, warn that the changes risk increasing pollution and undermining long-term efforts to fight climate change since the power sector contributes about a quarter of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA also proposed rolling back the Endangerment Finding, which has been the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases since 2009. If finalized, this would end federal GHG standards for vehicles and call into question future emissions regulation. The move has triggered immediate legal challenges, with environmental groups warning it could unravel over a decade of climate policy and, as one environmental law expert said this week, “gut the federal government’s ability to address climate risks.”

On chemicals, EPA is amending rules around PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals.” The agency is keeping drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, the two most studied chemicals, but is withdrawing standards on several related PFAS compounds and giving water systems more time to comply. Health groups worry this leaves some communities vulnerable, especially since EPA’s own scientists link exposure to PFAS to a range of serious health issues. However, the agency cites the need to focus compliance resources and cut red tape, especially for small water systems.

Administrative changes are also in the spotlight. Furloughs are impacting about 40% of EPA employees in New England amid the ongoing government funding impasse, potentially delaying cleanups and enforcement actions. Nationally, the Trump administration’s deregulatory push is focused on revisiting over thirty existing environmental rules, from defining “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act to air toxins standards and hazardous waste disposal.

Businesses, mainly in the energy and manufacturing sectors, are likely to see reduced costs and fewer barriers to project development. State and local governments, however, may need to decide whether to keep stricter rules at the state level or follow the new federal lead. For American citizens, the impact could mean changes in air and water quality standards in their communities, so paying attention to these rule changes is critical. Internationally, these shifts send a clear signal that U.S. environmental policy is pivoting away from some of its recent climate commitments, which may complicate collaboration with other countries on climate agreements.

Looking ahead, EPA will finalize many of these proposals over the coming months, and public comment periods are open for several rules—meaning listeners can voice their opinions at regulations.gov. Key deadlines to watch include the April 2026 target for drinking water compliance and a likely rush of court challenges over vehicle emissions and air pollution rules.

For more details on these developments and how to get engaged, visit epa.gov or check out your state’s environmental agency website. Thanks for tuning in, stay informed, and don’t forget to subscribe for more environmental news that truly matters. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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