In a significant move described as the “most consequential day of deregulation in American history,” the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lee Zeldin, announced the rollback of several landmark environmental regulations. These include rules concerning pollution from coal-fired power plants, climate change measures, and electric vehicle standards. In an essay published in The Wall Street Journal, Zeldin stated that these actions would eliminate trillions in regulatory costs and “hidden taxes,” thereby reducing living costs for American families and lowering prices for essentials such as cars, home heating, and business operations. Zeldin emphasized that the deregulation would reignite American manufacturing and spread economic benefits to communities. Among the 31 environmental rules being rolled back is the 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, which underpins numerous climate regulations. Environmentalists and climate scientists argue that any attempt to undo this finding will likely fail in court due to overwhelming scientific evidence. Additionally, the EPA plans to rewrite rules restricting air pollution from fossil-fuel fired power plants and emissions from cars and trucks. The Biden administration had previously highlighted these rules as crucial for reducing pollution, improving public health, and supporting the reliable supply of electricity. The EPA also intends to address rules limiting industrial pollution of mercury and other air toxins, soot pollution, and federal protections for wetlands. Furthermore, the EPA has terminated its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and will close parts of the agency focused on environmental justice. Critics argue that these moves prioritize polluter profits over public health and environmental protection. — news from Detroit News