Editorial: Power down regulations to power up debate

Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Sep 17, 2026

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A major change by the Trump administration will reduce future power prices around the country. Unfortunately, it took a unilateral act of the executive branch rather than an act of Congress.

On Monday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced sweeping changes to the U.S. power sector. The agency is rolling back greenhouse gas requirements on power plants that the Biden administration enacted. If left in place, these regulations would likely have shut down most coal power plants by 2040. They were part of the Biden administration’s expensive war on fossil fuels.

Nevada generally relies on natural gas to provide reliable power, but coal remains a vital part of the country’s power system. In 2025, coal power accounted for almost 17 percent of the country’s power, the third highest source. The top two were natural gas, at 40.8 percent, and nuclear at 17.7 percent. In contrast, solar energy provided 6.7 percent. Coal is also more useful than solar power because coal power plants can produce power when the sun isn’t shining.

As data centers demand ever more power, there is a great need for reliable sources of it. This move by the Trump administration removes a costly roadblock to meeting that demand. The EPA estimates it will save $310 billion. It also wants to rescind “every remaining greenhouse gas standard for the power sector,” according to a release.

Zeldin pointed out that both “the Obama and Biden administrations implemented a war on coal to destroy reliable and affordable energy.” In contrast, this move will give Americans “a decrease in electricity prices.”

This is an important example of Trump keeping his pledge to “unleash American energy,” as the White House puts it. While the effects won’t be instantaneous, these rules set the stage for lower power prices than if the previous regulations had remained.

Yet, a move this consequential has received comparatively little attention. That isn’t because electricity is a niche issue. It’s a foundational part of the modern world we take for granted.

It’s because both the initial Biden administration change and this reversal came via regulations, not through congressional legislation. Any federal dictate this broad should be debated and passed by Congress. The House and Senate should have to approve it and the president should sign or veto the measure. This would likely produce a compromise more in line with the American public — and allow voters to hold elected officials accountable for major policy changes.

Governance by regulations short circuits important public debate on major policy issues. It’s one reason the country remains so divided.