The US Environmental Protection Agency announces the lifting of restrictions on emissions from coal and gas power plants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to lift restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas power plants in the United States, stating that this step is part of policies supporting reliable and affordable energy.

An agency spokesperson stated: "Many have expressed concerns that the previous administration's amendments to those rules are considered excessive, threatening the production of affordable and reliable energy, which could raise electricity costs for American households and increase reliance on foreign energy sources."

Quoting internal documents, "The New York Times" reported that the agency based its decision on the belief that carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gases from fossil fuel plants "do not significantly contribute to dangerous pollution levels," noting that their share of global emissions is "small and declining." The agency also viewed that curbing these emissions "will not have a significant impact on public health and welfare."

This decision is part of President Donald Trump's efforts to revive the American coal industry, as he issued an executive order in April designating coal infrastructure areas to support artificial intelligence data centers.

The plan aims to meet the increasing demand for electricity from the technology sector, despite coal being the biggest air pollutant and contributor to global warming.

The administration also seeks to expedite the cancellation of federal spending related to climate change and remove regulatory restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, as part of the "American energy independence" policy.

In a related context, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, is facing a lawsuit from Texas and 12 other states accusing it of conspiring with major investors like Vanguard and State Street Global Advisors to limit competition in the coal sector by reducing production.

BlackRock responded that the lawsuit is "baseless," warning that its continuation could weaken America's efforts to achieve energy independence. It added that forcing managers to withdraw investments from coal companies would reduce its ability to finance, potentially leading to higher energy prices.

Last December, the International Energy Agency forecasted that global coal demand will reach 8.9 million tons by 2027, a 1% increase from 2024 levels, contrary to previous expectations of decline. Experts attribute this growth to the Trump administration's encouragement of coal use in energy generation.

The debate over America's energy future is escalating between supporters of traditional industry and advocates for transitioning to cleaner sources, amid warnings of the impact of political decisions on the economy and the environment.