The rule change, proposed last year, could be announced as soon as today, according to two people familiar with the proposal, and represents a fundamental shift from efforts by Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama to address climate change and clean up industrial pollution, often in low-income and majority Black or Hispanic communities.
The rule, which is expected to face immediate legal challenges, also could prevent future administrations from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, the people familiar with the proposal said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the rule had not yet been made final.
The EPA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The plan to make the rule final was first reported by the New York Times.
The rollbacks are meant to fulfill Republican President Donald Trump’s repeated pledge to “unleash American energy ” and make it easier for utilities to supply electricity for homes and businesses.
