EPA's Largest Deregulatory Action: Trillions in Cost Savings, but Environmental Concerns Loom

Welcome to the Environmental Watch podcast, your quick guide to what’s changing at the EPA and how it affects us all. This week’s headline: The Environmental Protection Agency has just announced the largest deregulatory action in its history—31 sweeping reforms under Administrator Lee Zeldin, all aimed at advancing President Trump’s executive orders and economic agenda.

Let’s break down what that means. These reforms target regulations on greenhouse gas emissions for power plants, methane limits for oil and gas, coal plant mercury standards, and more. Zeldin says the agency’s efforts will “reduce regulatory costs by trillions of dollars and lower the cost of living on American households, making it more affordable to purchase vehicles, heat homes and operate businesses.” The EPA frames these changes under three main goals: unleashing American energy, lowering consumer costs, and returning decision-making to states.

For businesses, especially in energy, chemical, and manufacturing sectors, this could mean fewer federal restrictions and a faster track for new projects. But environmental groups warn this may slow efforts to address air and water pollution. State and local governments will see more leeway to design their own standards—but that also means patchwork regulations depending on where you live, leading to potential uncertainty for companies operating across multiple states.

On enforcement, the EPA now pledges not to suspend or shut down any stage of energy production unless there’s an “imminent and substantial threat to human health.” That’s a major shift from previous policies targeting methane emissions and prioritizing environmental justice. Now, enforcement will focus only on issues with the greatest immediate health risks, like hazardous air pollutants or coal ash from power plants, and even then, any action with major energy impacts must get high-level approval.

For American citizens, the impact depends on where you stand. Supporters believe these moves will lower energy bills and spur job growth. Critics argue they may increase exposure to pollutants, especially in communities already facing environmental burdens. In the words of Administrator Zeldin: “We’re advancing cooperative federalism—letting states take the lead where possible, and removing unnecessary federal barriers to growth.”

There’s also a policy pause at play: Several recently published rules, including new standards on certain chemicals and hazardous waste, have been delayed or sent back for review. Comment periods are being reopened on water quality definitions and air emissions rules. If you want to weigh in, now’s the time—the public can submit comments on these proposals until deadlines ranging from mid-April to August.

What’s next? Watch for final decisions on greenhouse gas reporting requirements, the definition of “Waters of the United States,” and possible tweaks to the Toxic Substances Control Act implementation in the coming months. We’ll be tracking whether states step up with tighter local policies, or if legal challenges arise from environmental groups or affected communities.

For more details and to participate in ongoing comment periods, head to EPA.gov. And if you’re concerned—or enthusiastic—about any of these moves, make your voice heard. The EPA is actively soliciting public feedback, and these decisions will shape America’s environmental and economic future.

That’s it for this week’s Environmental Watch. Stay tuned for the latest updates, and remember: informed voices make a difference.