According to Reuters, the Trump administration has exempted 47 companies from regulations to curb mercury and air toxics for their coal-fired power plants for two years. The exemptions affect nearly 70 coal-fired power plants, including some of the nation's largest polluters. President Trump signed the proclamation in April 2025, granting relief from stringent Biden-era environmental rules to certain coal-fired power plants. The move aims to safeguard the nation's energy grid and prevent plant closures.

Associated Press reports that among plants receiving exemptions is the Colstrip Generating Station in Montana, which emits more toxic air pollutants such as lead and arsenic than any other U.S. facility of its kind. Other exempted plants include Coal Creek Station in North Dakota and the Oak Grove plant in Texas. The exempted plants are owned by major power companies including Talen Energy, Dominion Energy, NRG Energy and Southern Co.

Administration's Broader Deregulatory Push

In March 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced 31 historic actions in what he called "the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history." The EPA is reconsidering Mercury and Air Toxics Standards that targeted coal-fired power plants and multiple regulations affecting American energy and manufacturing sectors. The agency is also reviewing the Biden administration's Clean Power Plan 2.0, which established stringent discharge standards for power plant wastewater.

Power Magazine notes that Zeldin announced the agency is moving to undo at least 31 regulations established during the Biden administration. The actions come after Zeldin terminated $20 billion in grants awarded by the Biden administration for climate and clean-energy projects. Coal comprises 16% of U.S. electricity generation, and the administration argues these plants are essential for grid reliability.

Industry and Environmental Group Responses

Utility Dive reports that Trump gave exemptions to coal-fired power plants totaling about 71.3 GW, representing approximately 37% of U.S. coal capacity. Power plant owners receiving the largest exemptions include Southern Co. at about 11,285 MW, NRG at about 7,100 MW, and the Tennessee Valley Authority at about 6,660 MW. The exemptions allow plants to comply with less stringent versions of environmental standards while the EPA undertakes lengthy rulemaking processes.

Environmental groups have vowed to challenge the rollbacks in court. According to NPR, Jason Rylander of the Center for Biological Diversity called the EPA's actions "a wrecking ball to environmental law." The Environmental Defense Fund's Amanda Leland stated the rollbacks "will create more toxic chemicals, more cancers, more asthma attacks, and more dangers for pregnant women and their children."

Industry groups expressed support for the changes. The American Petroleum Institute president Mike Sommers said voters "sent a clear message in support of affordable, reliable and secure American energy." The National Mining Association applauded the rollback of clean power plant rules as "long overdue."

Broader Economic and Environmental Implications

The regulatory rollbacks represent a major shift in federal environmental policy. The administration argues these changes will eliminate trillions of dollars in regulatory costs and reduce energy prices for American families. Coal plants are responsible for up to 30% of toxic water pollution from all U.S. industries, with higher percentages in some regions like the Southeast.

PBS NewsHour reported that the Trump administration's actions affect the power and transport industries, which together account for approximately half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA is also reconsidering the 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health, which forms the foundation of federal climate regulations.

The changes could affect regional air quality patterns, as many exempted coal plants are located upwind from northeastern states. Connecticut environmental officials express concern about prolonged coal plant emissions affecting air quality in states without coal plants. The administration maintains these changes balance environmental protection with economic growth and energy security.

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