Trump Moves To Scale Back Federal Coal Plant Regulation

Trump coal laws
A conveyor belt moves underground mined coal to the surface at Peabody Energy's Gateway Mine near Coulterville, Ill. in March 2006. Seth Perlman / Associated Press
Trump coal laws
A conveyor belt moves underground mined coal to the surface at Peabody Energy's Gateway Mine near Coulterville, Ill. in March 2006. Seth Perlman / Associated Press

Trump Moves To Scale Back Federal Coal Plant Regulation

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In a victory for coal companies, the Trump administration on Tuesday proposed replacing the Obama-era Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants around the country.

The new rule would roll back federal regulations on carbon emissions. Environmental Protection Agency officials acknowledged that up to 1,400 more people will likely die early from exposure to pollution emitted by coal plants.

Karen Weigert, senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, joins the Morning Shift to explain the long-term effects of the plan and what that could mean for Illinois residents.

GUEST: Karen Weigert, senior fellow on global cities at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs

LEARN MORE: Trump throws coal plants a lifeline, but Illinois among states showing no signs of turning back (Chicago Tribune 8/21/18)

Cost of New E.P.A. Coal Rules: Up to 1,400 More Deaths a Year (New York Times 8/21/18)