President Biden has introduced stringent regulations on coal power plants to reduce pollution and transition to cleaner energy sources.
Alex Guillén and Zack Colman report for Politico.
In short:
- The new EPA regulations mandate the installation of carbon capture technology at coal-fired power plants by 2032.
- These rules are part of a broader package aiming to cut mercury emissions and manage coal waste more effectively.
- While these regulations are a significant move towards cleaner energy, they have been met with resistance from both the coal industry and some political figures.
- Despite a number of recent actions by the administration to combat climate change, young progressives are expressing frustration about the green lighting of some high-profile fossil fuel projects.
Key quote:
"Biden can't create green jobs on Monday, on Tuesday approve a big oil export project, and then expect young people to turn out in the numbers that he needs us to."
— Stevie O'Hanlon, spokesperson for the youth climate group Sunrise Movement
Why this matters:
This big regulatory push by the Biden administration reflects a delicate balancing act in addressing environmental challenges while navigating political and economic landscapes in an election year. Read more: “Stop hurting us:” Protestors plead for their health outside a Pittsburgh gathering of coal and steel execs.
