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WIRED
2 days ago
- Business
- WIRED
The EPA Wants to Roll Back Emissions Controls on Power Plants
Jun 11, 2025 4:36 PM "The EPA is trying to get out of the climate change business,' says one expert. Aerial view of the coal powered electricity power station known as Fort Martin outside Morgantown, WV Photograph: Getty Images The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved to roll back emissions standards for power plants, the second-largest source of CO2 emissions in the country, on Wednesday, claiming that the American power sector does not 'contribute significantly' to air pollution. 'The bottom line is that the EPA is trying to get out of the climate change business,' says Ryan Maher, a staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. The announcement comes just days after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) quietly released record-breaking new figures showing the highest seasonal concentration of CO2 in recorded history. In a press conference on Tuesday, flanked by legislators from some of the country's top fossil fuel-producing states, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin accused both the Obama and Biden administrations of 'seeking to suffocate our economy in order to protect the environment.' Zeldin singled out data centers as helping to drive unprecedented demand in the US power sector over the next decade. The EPA, he said, is 'taking actions to end the agency's war on so much of our US domestic energy supply.' The proposed EPA rollbacks target a suite of rules on the power plant sector put in place last year by the Biden administration. Those regulations mandated that coal- and gas-fired power plants reduce their emissions by 90 percent by the early 2030s, primarily by using carbon capture and storage technology. Among a swathe of justifications for rolling back regulations, the proposed new EPA rule argues that because US power sector emissions accounted for only 3 percent of global emissions in 2022—down from 5.5 percent in 2005—and because coal use from other countries continues to grow, US electricity generation from fossil fuel 'does not contribute significantly to globally elevated concentrations of GHGs in the atmosphere.' However, electric power generation was responsible for 25 percent of US emissions in 2022, according to the EPA, making it second only to transportation among the dirtiest sectors of the economy. A NYU analysis published earlier this month found that if the US power sector were its own separate country, it would be the sixth-largest emitter in the world. 'This action would be laughable if the stakes weren't so high,' says Meredith Hankins, an attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council. The EPA is also targeting the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule, which mandates that power plants maintain controls to reduce the amount of mercury and other toxic air pollutants emitted from their plants. The Biden administration in 2024 strengthened those standards, which date to 2011. Despite progress in reducing mercury emissions since the MATS rule was initially implemented, coal-fired power plants are still the largest source of mercury emissions in the US. The administration has also made it clear that it intends to try to revive the coal industry, which has been on a steep decline since the rise of cheap natural gas and renewables in the 2010s. In a series of executive orders issued in April intended to boost the industry, President Trump tied the future of AI dominance in the US to extending a lifeline to coal. Zeldin and lawmakers who spoke on Tuesday praised the original MATS rule, portraying the 2024 update as an overreach by the Biden administration that imposed undue costs on the fossil fuel industry. ('We're not eliminating MATS,' Zeldin said. 'We're proposing to revise it.') But the coal industry and red states fought hard against the implementation of the original rule, experts who spoke to WIRED point out. 'They do not want to have increased mercury pollution hung around their neck,' Julie McNamara, an associate director of policy with the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, says. 'Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that affects the most vulnerable. When coal plants finally installed pollution controls, we had massive mercury pollution reductions and incredible benefits associated with that. I think that's why they want to try and keep the mantle of protecting public health and interest, while trying to make it seem like these were just radical amendments.' The rollbacks are part of a larger attack on the EPA's ability to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant, and part of an administration-wide effort to divorce climate science from policy. Earlier this year, Zeldin said that the agency would look to target the endangerment finding, a key determination made by the EPA in 2009 that defined greenhouse gases as dangerous to public health and welfare. That move—outlined in Project 2025—raised public objections even from fossil fuel industry groups like the American Petroleum Institute and the Edison Electric Institute, which represents utility companies. Killing the endangerment finding would require clearing a much higher legal bar than rolling back power plant regulations. The proposed rules will be open for public comment, with the agency stating a final rule should be issued by the end of the year; experts who spoke with WIRED say that they expect this latest move to be challenged in court. However, they all emphasized the fact that the proposal is above and beyond even what the first Trump administration attempted to do in eliminating climate regulations in its first term. 'This is a very big deal, that the EPA is attempting to sideline itself,' McNamara says. 'This is saying, 'We do not believe that we should regulate carbon emissions from power plants.' If you can't justify regulating power plants, then you can't justify regulating oil and gas emissions.' Meanwhile, the planet keeps getting hotter. Figures from Mauna Loa Observatory on Hawaii released quietly by NOAA last week show that May had a monthly average of 430.2 parts per million (ppm), the first time in recorded history that seasonal averages of CO2 exceeded 430 ppm, and 3.5 ppm higher than last year's May average. This reading comes on the heels of similarly-sobering figures the agency downplayed in April showing the largest-ever jump in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations between 2023 and 2024. 'Another year, another record,' Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps CO2 Program, said in a release on the May numbers. 'It's sad.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vita Bella Joins Forces with DUPR as the Official Health and Wellness Partner of Competitive Pickleball
This strategic partnership is a bold move that brings peak performance to the pickleball court, delivering premium health protocols and data-driven health plans to the fastest growing sport in America. DELRAY BEACH, Fla., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), the most accurate and trusted global rating system for pickleball players of all levels, is proud to announce its official partnership with Vita Bella, the leading digital health platform for customized medical treatments that accelerate strength, stamina and recovery. As the official health and wellness partner of DUPR, Vita Bella will offer exclusive access to a wide range of performance-enhancing protocols tailored specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels—from weekend warriors to elite competitors. This includes advanced peptide therapy protocols to help with muscle building and recovery, hormone therapy to optimize how patients feel, anti-aging solutions to reverse and slow decline, and more—all backed by a team of top-tier doctors to enhance personalized care. "Pickleball is no longer just a hobby—it's a movement, a lifestyle, and a highly demanding sport," said Phil Vella, Founder and CEO of Vita Bella. "Our mission is to ensure every DUPR-rated athlete feels and performs at their best, both on and off the court. This partnership brings science-backed wellness directly to the pickleball community like never before." Through this partnership, DUPR+ members will have access to: Exclusive discounts on a Vita Bella membership and its products Virtual consultations with medical professionals who specialize in performance and recovery Performance-Focused Protocols designed with pickleball-specific needs in mind This announcement marks another milestone in DUPR's commitment to supporting the total athlete—from competitive play in leagues and tournaments, to physical wellness and long-term performance. Vita Bella joins a growing family of DUPR partners focused on advancing the sport of pickleball across all levels. "At DUPR, our mission has always been to support athletes at every level—on and off the court," said Ryan Maher, Vice President of Partnerships at DUPR. "Partnering with Vita Bella allows us to give our community access to the health tools they need to play longer, recover faster, and elevate their performance. This collaboration represents a major step forward in how we serve our community." To celebrate the launch, DUPR+ members can now visit to unlock special offers and begin their wellness journey today. About Vita BellaVita Bella is redefining what it means to live well—with a portfolio of premium treatments and advanced medications designed to elevate health, energy, and lifestyle. Backed by a data-driven clinical model, Vita Bella's team of licensed physicians crafts personalized wellness protocols tailored to each patient's unique needs. More than a brand, Vita Bella is a movement. Through its innovative digital platform, the company delivers a one-of-a-kind blend of clinical-grade care and modern convenience—empowering individuals across the country to look, feel, and perform at their best, every single day. Visit to learn more. About DUPRDUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including United Pickleball Association (UPA), PPA, Major League Pickleball (MLP), Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League. It also owns and operates Minor League Pickleball and Collegiate Pickleball, two of the biggest amateur leagues in the sport. Players and operators can visit to sign up and learn more. Media Contact: DUPRKyrill HartogVP Marketing & Communicationskyrill@ Vita BellaColin JordanMarketingcolin@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE DUPR
