02.20.26

Hoeven: Trump Administration Repeals MATS Rule, Supporting Access to Baseload Power

Senator Sponsored CRA Resolution to Overturn Costly Biden-Era Rule

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule repealing the Biden-era Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) regulations, which imposed costly and overly-stringent regulations on coal-fired electric power plants. Hoeven, along with then-Congressman Kelly Armstrong, previously led bicameral legislation to block the EPA from implementing its new MATS rule. The senator also joined President Trump last year as he signed executive orders to initiate the process of repealing this and other harmful regulations imposed by the Biden administration.

“The Biden administration’s MATS Rule was designed to be unworkable and ultimately shut down our baseload coal-fired powered plants. That’s why we worked to repeal this burdensome rule and reinstate the previous regulations, which were proven to cost-effectively protect human health without harming our nation’s energy security,” said Hoeven. “We welcome the Trump administration finalizing these efforts, which will support the reliability and affordability of our electrical grid.”

When first advanced in 2012 by the Obama administration, this rule contributed to the closure of numerous power plants before being blocked by the Supreme Court in 2015. The Biden administration then revived the MATS rule utilizing the same unreasonable cost justification that was rejected by the Supreme Court. The regulations would have replaced the existing cost-effective standards, which have already been found to protect human health and safety and were put into place under the Trump administration following an eight-year technology review.

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