EPA postpones tougher water pollution rules for coal plants, raising public health and environmental concerns.

The Trump administration says that it plans to delay and potentially loosen water pollution rules for coal-fired power plants.

In a press release, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Monday that it will “propose to extend compliance deadlines” for some of the requirements in a Biden-era regulation.

The agency also said that it “intends to explore other flexibilities to promote reliable and affordable power generation” but did not specify which parts of the rule it will consider loosening. 

The Biden administration argued strict pollution standards for coal plants were needed because without them people would be exposed to toxic substances. It said its rule would prevent more than 660 million pounds of pollution each year.

Its rule, it claimed, could reduce exposures to substances that are linked to bladder cancer, loss of IQ points and cardiovascular disease.

The Trump administration, however, argues that changes are needed to bolster the electric grid.

“As our electric grid faces unprecedented load growth, EPA remains committed to promoting reliable, affordable, and domestically-sourced resources—including beautiful, clean coal — to support American manufacturing, job creation, and economic and energy independence,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in a written statement.

“We know there are serious concerns about the compliance timelines, and we must consider more realistic options that may prevent the burdensome costs required by the current regulation from hurting American families.”