Trump Makes Major Coal Exemption
President Donald Trump has taken decisive action to support American steelworkers and shield U.S. manufacturing from what many critics call burdensome Biden-era regulations. On Friday, Trump issued a two-year exemption for coal used in steelmaking—halting a Clean Air Act rule that threatened to drive up costs and weaken America’s industrial backbone.
This move directly affects “coke ovens,” the high-heat chambers that turn coal into coke, a critical fuel source for steel production.
Biden’s Rule Would Have Forced Expensive New Compliance Costs
Under the Biden administration, steelmaking facilities would have been forced to comply with new monitoring requirements for emissions such as:
- Mercury
- Formaldehyde
- Soot
- Dioxins
- Benzene, a cancer-causing chemical
The EPA said the rule would affect 11 facilities, each facing roughly $500,000 in added compliance expenses—even though all of them are already operating below EPA pollution limits.
Despite this, Biden’s EPA claimed the mandate was necessary “just in case” pollution levels increased in the future.
For many Americans—especially seniors on fixed incomes who rely on a strong, affordable domestic steel supply—the costs of such regulations raise serious concerns.
Trump: Rule Relied on Technology That Doesn’t Even Exist
In his proclamation, President Trump made it clear that the Biden rule was built on unrealistic expectations and untested technology.
Trump cautioned that the rule demands the use of emissions-control technology that hasn’t yet been proven workable or affordable in real-world industry.
He emphasized that steel is essential for:
- National defense
- Infrastructure
- Energy development
- Domestic manufacturing jobs
Imposing unworkable technology mandates, he argued, places America at a dangerous competitive disadvantage.
Environmental Groups Outraged — Industry Relief Praised
As expected, environmental activists criticized the exemption. Tosh Sagar of Earthjustice accused the companies of seeking an “unwarranted exemption” instead of installing additional monitoring systems.
But supporters of the exemption point out a crucial fact:
The facilities already meet federal pollution standards.
Biden’s rule would have added costs without delivering meaningful environmental benefit.
The companies receiving exemptions include:
- EES Coke
- ABC Coke
- SunCoke Energy
- U.S. Steel
- Cleveland-Cliffs
These producers play a key role in keeping America’s steel supply chain strong and reliable.
Part of Trump’s Larger Push to Reduce Red Tape
This exemption isn’t an isolated decision. Earlier in the year, the EPA launched a new portal allowing companies to request exemptions from Clean Air Act regulations. Since then, the Trump administration has granted waivers to multiple industries, including:
- Oil refineries
- Coal plants
- Medical device sterilizers
Trump’s approach aims to revive American industry, strengthen energy independence, and reduce costs for American consumers—especially seniors who are disproportionately impacted by rising prices under restrictive environmental rules.
Bottom Line for Conservative Readers
President Trump’s action is a victory for American steel, a blow to Biden’s regulatory overreach, and a win for the U.S. economy as the country continues to rebuild its manufacturing strength.
This decision reinforces Trump’s long-held commitment to:
- Protecting American workers
- Securing critical supply chains
- Promoting energy independence
- Ensuring strong national defense
