Factbox: Biden Administration Rushes to Protect Environmental Regulations From Congressional Threats

The Biden administration is on a mission to solidify its environmental legacy by rushing to finalize a series of crucial regulations before the 2024 presidential election. With the looming possibility of former President Donald Trump making a comeback, the administration is working tirelessly to ensure that its key environmental policies remain intact.

One of the main strategies being employed is to complete agency rules and have them officially published in the Federal Register before May 22, 2024. This would protect these regulations from being overturned by a new Congress using the Congressional Review Act.

In recent weeks, the Biden administration has been rolling out a series of final rules aimed at advancing its ambitious plans, such as promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and safeguarding public lands for conservation purposes. The upcoming regulations will further support the administration’s goal of decarbonizing the U.S. economy by 2050.

The Environmental Protection Agency is set to unveil a significant rule on Thursday to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Additionally, the agency will introduce regulations to strengthen standards for wastewater discharges, hazardous air toxics, and mercury emissions from power plants.

Other key regulations in the pipeline include the finalization of the “Phase 2” National Environmental Policy Act by the Council on Environmental Quality and new regulations for offshore wind developments by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

The Energy Department is also looking to finalize appliance efficiency standards for various household appliances, aiming to reduce emissions by cutting back on energy consumption. These efforts underscore the administration’s commitment to combating climate change and protecting the environment for future generations.