Trump failed to repeal and replace Obamacare—now he’s going after the Clean Power Plan

A leaked U.S. Environmental Protection Agency document states that the agency will soon propose repealing and replacing the Clean Power Plan, President Obama’s signature climate change policy. Finalized in August 2015 and tied up in court practically ever since, the CPP aims to cut carbon emissions from U.S. power plants by 32 percent by 2030. That goal clearly doesn’t jibe with President Trump, who continually questions settled climate science and wants to bow out of the Paris climate agreement. Fortunately, the EPA is legally required to curb carbon dioxide emissions. So, even if EPA chief Scott Pruitt is able to pull the plug on the CPP, the agency will need to replace it with something. According to the New York Times, the agency will ask for public input on a new rule “similarly intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil-fueled electric utility generating units.” Similarly intended? Maybe. Weaker and tailored to please industry? You can bet Pruitt’s $25,000 phone booth.