President Joe Biden is working to secure his legacy by implementing a series of election year rules, particularly in the realm of environmental regulations. One landmark regulation aims to compel coal-fired power plants to either capture smokestack emissions or cease operations.
These regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fueled electric stations represent a significant endeavor by the Democratic president to combat climate change, with the power sector being the nation’s second-largest contributor to this phenomenon.
In an effort to fulfill his policy objectives, Biden and his administration finalized more than 60 regulations last month, including a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by half by 2030. These regulations, primarily led by the Environmental Protection Agency but involving other federal agencies as well, are being expedited to prevent potential overturning by a new Congress or president.
“The Biden administration is in green blitz mode,” said Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action.
Expanding Beyond the Environment
Alongside environmental regulations, Biden’s administration has issued rules on a range of topics such as student loan forgiveness, affordable housing, overtime pay, and more, as part of his reelection campaign against presumed Republican nominee Donald Trump.
In April, federal agencies set a record by publishing 66 significant final rules, with over half of them expected to have an economic impact of at least $200 million, according to the Regulatory Studies Center at George Washington University.
Biden has been actively promoting these rules, including a visit to Madison, Wisconsin, to advocate for student loan relief. Cabinet officials are also being dispatched across the country, particularly to swing states, to highlight the administration’s actions.
Challenges and Implications
Given the ease with which policies established through rulemaking can be reversed, especially with a divided Congress, Biden has been swift in his efforts to roll back Trump-era policies. Through reinstating protections for threatened species, boosting fuel efficiency standards, and addressing various other issues, Biden aims to solidify his environmental legacy.
The rules issued by his administration, along with a historic climate law passed by Democrats in 2021, are expected to make significant strides in combating climate change and solidifying Biden’s climate-focused voter base. However, challenges from the industry, legal battles, and potential reversals by future administrations loom over these efforts.
