President Joe Biden is working to secure his legacy through a series of election year regulations, particularly in the environmental realm. One landmark regulation aims to make coal-fired power plants capture smokestack emissions or face shutdown.
These regulations target greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fueled electric stations, marking Biden’s most significant effort to combat climate change by reducing pollution from the power sector, which is a major contributor to global warming.
Last month, Biden and his administration finalized over 60 regulations to fulfill his policy goals, including a commitment to cut carbon emissions by half by 2030. These regulations, led by the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies, are being rolled out quickly to avoid potential overturning by a new Congress or president.
“The Biden administration is taking aggressive actions in favor of environmental initiatives,” said Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action.
IT’S NOT JUST THE ENVIRONMENT
Biden’s administration has also addressed various other issues beyond the environment with new rules, covering areas like student loan forgiveness, affordable housing, overtime pay, healthcare, and airline passenger compensation. These rules aim to appeal to voters as Biden seeks re-election against presumed Republican nominee Donald Trump.
In April, federal agencies published a record-breaking 66 significant final rules, with more than half expected to have a substantial economic impact. This marks a significant increase compared to previous administrations.
Biden and his team are actively promoting these regulations to the public. Cabinet officials are traveling around the country, especially to swing states, to highlight the administration’s actions.
THE PROBLEM WITH RULES
Policy decisions made through rulemaking processes are easier to reverse than laws, particularly when administrations change hands. Biden’s swift actions intend to solidify his policy agenda before facing potential challenges in the future.
While Biden faces the possibility of legal challenges and political opposition, he remains committed to his ambitious regulatory agenda as a crucial part of his legacy-building efforts.
