ICYMI: Administrator Zeldin in Washington Reporter: Why the Trump Administration Launched the Greatest and Most Consequential Year of Deregulation in American History

ICYMI: Administrator Zeldin in Washington Reporter: Why the Trump Administration Launched the Greatest and Most Consequential Year of Deregulation in American History

March 13, 2026

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin published an op-edExit EPA's website in the Washington Reporter detailing the historic deregulatory agenda and progress this agency has undertaken over the past year. On March 12, 2025, EPA announced 31 actions that amounted to the largest day of deregulation in U.S. history. Each day since that announcement, EPA has worked to lower the cost of living for American families, unleash energy dominance, advance cooperative federalism, revitalize the auto industry, and so much more, all while protecting human health and the environment. Under President Trump's leadership, EPA has worked to improve the lives of communities across America and Power the Great American Comeback.

Read the full articleExit EPA's website:

"One year ago, at the Trump EPA, we announced 31 historic actions in the largest ever day of deregulation, to unleash the potential of the American economy, advance President Donald Trump's Day One executive orders, and Power the Great American Comeback. That meant the reconsideration of many suffocating rules that were restricting many sectors of our economy and costing Americans trillions of dollars - raising the cost of living in every aspect of life.

"One year later, we have made significant strides to undo the failures of prior administrations and bring down costs for American families.

"Among the most consequential of the actions was the reconsideration of the 2009 Obama-era Endangerment Finding and all vehicle regulations that relied on it.

"Our repeal of the Endangerment Finding, all subsequent greenhouse gas emissions standards on light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, and all off-cycle credits like the one that led to that annoying start/stop feature in vehicles was the culmination of the single largest deregulatory action in American history. This decision alone will save over one trillion dollars in costs, along with making new vehicles $2,400 cheaper, and put an end to 16 years of consumer choice restrictions for Americans.

"Just last month - while keeping in place the strict 2012 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) that were working - we repealed the 2024 Biden EPA MATS rule that sought to regulate the coal industry out of existence and make it more difficult for Americans to heat their homes. We've also approved plans for North Dakota and Wyoming to regulate their own coal combustion residuals, issued guidance encouraging states to utilize prescribed burns, and ended environmental justice and DEI at the Trump EPA.

"To advance cooperative federalism, EPA has partnered with states that were universally rejected by the previous administration's 'Good Neighbor' rule - a plan used to expand federal rules to more states and sectors beyond the program's traditional focus and led to the rejection of many State Implementation Plans (SIPs). Phase One of our overhaul of the Good Neighbor plan was proposed this past January, and we will continue receiving public comments until later this month.

"We're nowhere near done yet. We are currently reviewing public comments on many proposals, including our reconsideration of Biden's 'Clean Power Plan 2.0' that aimed to shut down coal plants nationwide; the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program that added many layers of red tape and compliance costs without any positive impact on air quality; and the technology transitions rule on refrigerants that increased grocery costs, reduced access to residential A-C units and supplies, complicated maintenance of equipment, and hurt semiconductor manufacturing.

"We've extended several deadlines in the previous administration's OOOO b/c rules to provide more realistic timelines for American energy producers and workers. This action will positively impact hundreds of thousands of oil and gas operations across the country and save an estimated $750 million over 11 years in compliance costs.

"President Trump heard the American people loud and clear, and we will continue to deliver results, including a new definition of Waters of the United States on behalf of our nation's farmers, ranchers, and other landowners. Our final rule will follow the law and stand the test of time.

"One year ago, we promised the end of the Green New Scam, to do our part to usher in the Golden Age of American success, lower the cost of living, and make it easier for Americans to heat their homes, purchase cars, and operate businesses. It has since been one very busy year of total follow through.

"President Trump is unwavering in his efforts to lower the cost of living and restore American energy dominance. As EPA Administrator, it's my responsibility to help implement the President's bold agenda to Power the Great American Comeback.

"By fulfilling the actions we set in motion on March 12, 2025, we continue working each and every day to deliver an EPA that works to empower the American people while protecting our nation's air, land, and water."