A new rule enacted by Donald Trump’s EPA will allow coal plants to increase the amount of pollution they pump into the atmosphere, reports The Texas Observer.
In fact, the new rule will allow coal power plants to emit almost twice as much sulfur dioxide as the previous restrictions instituted by the Obama Administration.
Sulfur dioxide is known to exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma and the pollutant is a major contributor to acid rain. The substance famously created haze problems in Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains national parks. Texas resisted the previous pollution rule under the previous administration, until the Obama White House ultimately forced Texas to comply.
In response, Texas sued. Now, it appears Texas coal plants have won the day.