CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia leaders are praising the Trump administration’s repeal of Biden‑era greenhouse gas regulations on coal and natural gas power plants, calling the move a major victory for American energy production and the state’s economy.
Governor Patrick Morrisey said the repeal protects West Virginia jobs and strengthens the nation’s electric grid. “President Trump and Administrator Zeldin understand that America needs more energy, not regulations that force dependable sources of power off the grid and drive up costs,” Morrisey said. He added that the decision reinforces more than a decade of legal challenges led by West Virginia, including the landmark West Virginia v. EPA ruling.
In Washington, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, applauded the repeal of the rule known as Clean Power Plan 2.0, calling it an unlawful attempt to force the closure of coal‑fired plants and block new natural gas facilities. Capito said the Trump administration’s action will help maintain baseload energy production, protect jobs, and prevent higher electric bills for families.
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey also praised the announcement, saying the repeal will “drive down costs” and restore the Clean Air Act to its original intent. McCuskey noted that West Virginia has led successful challenges to federal emissions rules since the Obama administration, arguing that previous regulations attempted to sidestep the Supreme Court’s limits on EPA authority.
The EPA’s repeal removes billions of dollars in projected compliance costs for coal and natural gas industries. West Virginia led a 25‑state coalition opposing the Biden‑era rule and supports the Trump administration’s new final rule.
