President Trump yesterday granted two years of regulatory relief to coal power plants, chemical manufacturers and other industries as his administration works to reverse overly burdensome Biden-era regulations. The proclamations issued on Thursday allow the facilities to comply with EPA standards that were in place prior to the Biden administration. A fact sheet issued by the White House says the exemptions ensure continued operation of these facilities without incurring substantial costs to comply with, quote, "unattainable compliance requirements."
Also yesterday from the administration, the EPA extended two deadlines for complying with Biden-era coal ash regulations.
And in minerals and trade news, the Commerce Department is set to impose anti-dumping duties of more than 93% on imports of Chinese graphite, after an investigation concluded the material had been unfairly subsidized and was being sold at less than fair value into the domestic market. The new duties add to existing rates making the effective tariff around 160%. The move will likely increase tensions along EV supply chains that continue to face challenges from China's restrictions of rare earth exports.
That's your mining minute for this morning, highlighting some of the mining-related matters that are on our minds here in Washington and beyond. Follow us on the National Mining Association's channels, as well as on Minerals Make Life and Count on Coal, for more on the latest news and policies impacting mining.
